Papua New Guinea Kumuls scrum-half Lachlan Lam expressed confidence as his team prepares to face Vodafone Fiji Bati in the upcoming Pacific Bowl showdown. Speaking in Suva, the 26-year-old acknowledged that the Bati would likely be favored due to their home ground advantage but emphasized his team’s readiness for the challenge.
“They are a good side,” Lam remarked about the Bati. “We’ve had a couple of ravages in the past and we are keen to go again this weekend.” As the son of rugby legend Adrian Lam, a standout player for the Sydney Roosters and Queensland Maroons, Lachlan brings a legacy to the field.
Lam, who made his NRL debut in 2019, stated that the Kumuls are focused on claiming victory this weekend. He recognized the talent within the Bati squad, which includes star players like Viliame Kikau and premiership winner Sunia Turuva, but insisted that this wouldn’t impact their preparations.
In the match against the Bati, Lam will team up with Kyle Laybutt in the halves as they defend their title at HFC Bank Stadium on Saturday. “Kyle is a very good player, and we’re looking to create more opportunities for our side during the game,” he noted. “It will be a great day of footy, and we hope to be the best and defend it on that day.”
As the reigning Pacific Bowl Champions, the Kumuls are determined to continue their winning streak. Lam emphasized the team’s goal of mutual support on and off the field. “We just want to win. We want to stand up for each other and play a game that we can be proud of,” he added.
Fellow Kumuls player Nene Macdonald shared his excitement for playing in Fiji, stating, “It has always been a dream, but now it’s a reality.” With 16 Tests under his belt, Macdonald noted the importance of securing wins in the coming weeks to qualify for next year’s main Cup. “We believe in ourselves; we believe that we can do it,” he expressed.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:10 PM, promising an exciting battle between the two teams.