Saints Take the Spoils

 

"We probably haven’t played that poorly since the Challenge Cup semi last year here against Warrington" Adrian Lam.

In Leigh there is a familiar saying, "In Lam we trust". Adrian Lam is that rare thing in British sport, a head coach who does not get any criticism, but sometimes there is a need to question what the hell is going on:

1. In 2023, Leigh had "The Lethal Left Edge"; it was the favoured wing for Lachlan Lam to attack on. It was stacked with Kai O'Donnell, Ricky Leutele and Josh Charnley. All of these were potential outlets for Lockie to attack with. The icing on the cake was Gaz O'Brien who played full-back and would chime in for extra punch. The right edge was to say the least a little clunky.

In 2024, Leigh signed a wonderful attacking half-back in the shape of Matt Moylan. Wonderful soft hands and eye for playing heads-up rugby. Unfortunately for Matt, his career was coming to an end due to having a weakness in defence. Moylan was switched to full-back and O'Brien moved to half-back and "The Lethal Left Edge" was no more.

In 2025, Leigh pulled off a coup, signing David Armstrong a young man with speed to burn. The half-back problem identified in 2024 would remain, and Gaz O'Brien would continue to fill in. Armstrong was injured early season but would continue to play before Leigh unearthed a gem in Bailey Hodgson.

In 2026, Leigh now have an issue that they have two outstanding Full-backs, Gaz O'Brien is now utility backup and Adam Cook is playing in the halves. 

2. In 2023 and 2024, John Asiata was the undisputed king of the Loose Forwards. 2024 was an injury-ravaged season, and Asiata would eventually seek a move to Hull FC, to gain a lengthier contract.

2025 the response from Leigh was to bring Auckland-born NRL star Issac "the Iceman" Liu to the LSV. Liu had played most of his career at Prop, but Lammy saw a loose forward in Isaac. A cool head to distribute when needed and to tuck the ball under his jumper if no options were available.

2026 Round 1 Issac Liu was on compassionate leave, returning to the UK only a matter of days before the Leeds game. The response was to utilise another Prop in the Loose Forward slot with Joe Offahengaue having a monster game. Round 2 Issac Liu is left on the bench and Joffa retained the role of 13. Earlier this week Lam had discussed his plan to utilise both hookers, Ipape and Horne, in a rotating 9 and 13 role.

Scenario 1, I can understand that circumstances dictated a personnel change. Scenario 2 makes no sense, fixing what isn't broken. After the St Helens game, Liam Horne would not be in the matchday squad, coming on to the field, his first action was a tip, 2 minutes later, he threw the ball out of the try zone for a drop out.

Lammy was not a happy camper, he labelled the performance as their ‘worst in nine months’ and full of ‘uncharacteristic’ errors. “We’re very frustrated that we put ourselves under pressure with so many penalties and errors against, it’s uncharacteristic,” Lam said post-match.
“Some players didn’t have their best games, and we’re a new team trying to find some comfort in trying to chase the game towards the end, but we just couldn’t get that together."

Congratulations to St Helens for the win; it was not the "Rowleyball" we were promised. This is very much Saints of the last few years. Kick to the corners and squeeze the attack. Hastings may see lots of the ball, but he does nothing but drop it off the big boys or kick. He is a shadow of the "man-of-steel" from 5 years ago, but he may still prove the cog that gets the team turning. As yet, I am still unconvinced.