Leigh Leopards' boss Adrian Lam on their "unbelievable" Wembley journey
LEIGH Leopards boss Adrian Lam isn’t wrong when he says it’s “unbelievable” his side will be stepping out at Wembley today.
The side who were playing in the Championship 12 months ago are on an amazing ride - and there’s no sign of it slowing down any time soon. Ridiculed for their Leopards rebrand in October, they have proved all the doubters wrong and contributed to a remarkable tale. From flash owner Derek Beaumont’s zany leopard jackets to great pre-match live gigs and the likes of Lachlan Lam, Edwin Ipape and John Asista delivering free-flowing rugby league, they have been a joy to watch.
Ever since the ex-Wigan head coach was appointed ahead of last season, Leigh have flourished and they now stand just 80 minutes from only a third Challenge Cup success in their history. Lam, who also oversaw last year’s 1895 Cup final win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, said: “We’ll try and make the players understand this is a big moment on Saturday.
“It’s always important to acknowledge past successes and we’ve only won it twice. They were 50 years apart - in 1971 and 1921 - so the town’s not had much to cheer about. That’s why it’s an incredible story we’re there. But we don’t just want to make up the numbers.
“We’ve had a pretty good run with this group since taking over 18 months ago. It’s ironic and unbelievable we were in that curtain-raiser game last year against Featherstone and then stood and watched the main game. To think we’re in that main game now is incredible. But we’ve earned the right to be here.”
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Of that there is no doubt. Beating Super League champions St Helens in a pulsating semi-final is a case in point. They have come so far that they are now classed as favourites to defeat Hull KR in the showpiece itself. And to think Lam almost ended up heading home to Australia after his three-year stint in charge of Wigan came to a disappointing end.
Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam (PA)Did he ever lose faith in himself at that difficult point? Lam, 52, insisted: “No. Not at all. I was agreeing to part ways there. I’m just grateful I took this opportunity as I was heading back to the NRL and I took it because the communications were we’ll support you with who you want to bring in.
“Initial conversations started with me saying there’s two kids in the Championship that you need to sign, whether I’m here or not. Two days later my phone buzzed with Leigh Leopards making these two signings of Championship players. I was like ‘whoa.’ It just made me completely reverse flip. And then I thought we can do this: if we can bring in a couple of players we could get it right. And that’s how it started rolling…
"Overall there are a lot of players here who no one would have known before and they’re making their way and getting themselves a name and we’ve resurrected some careers of players who other clubs thought were over so there’s a really good balance there. Part of the balance, too, is to bring the right person in. Not just talent, get the right personalities."
And Lam knows that squad, despite their favourites tag, will have to deliver to see off a KR who have wobbled of late but have plenty of star quality themselves. He said: "They are always a dangerous team, regardless of where you play them. They played pretty tough against Wigan -who were holders of the Cup - in the semi-final.
"In Super League, they started off on fire and were top four for half the season before a few injuries kicked in. The way they have managed those injuries is outstanding. They have got some great individuals in there with X Factor that can hurt you at any time. That's the danger of their team. It should be a great final."
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