Papua New Guinea Kumuls scrum-half Lachlan Lam expressed confidence ahead of their upcoming match against the Vodafone Fiji Bati. Speaking in Suva, the 26-year-old acknowledged that the Bati would have the upper hand as favorites due to their home advantage in Saturday’s Pacific Bowl clash.
“They (Bati) are a strong team,” said Lam, who is the son of former NRL star Adrian Lam. The Kumuls have had challenging encounters in the past, but they are eager to compete again. Lam, who made his NRL debut with the Roosters in 2019, noted that the presence of star players like Viliame Kikau and Sunia Turuva on the Bati side does not impact their preparation.
In the match, Lam will partner with Kyle Laybutt in the halves as the Kumuls aim to defend their title at HFC Bank Stadium. He emphasized the importance of creating opportunities during the game and expressed excitement for the match. “It will be a great day of footy, and we hope to defend our title successfully.”
The defending Pacific Bowl Champions are determined to secure victory and support one another both on and off the field. Lam mentioned that the team has acclimatized well to the weather and is eager for the challenge against the Bati.
Full-back Nene Macdonald also shared his enthusiasm for playing in Fiji, stating that it has always been a dream of his. With 16 Test appearances for PNG, he emphasized the necessity of performing well in the coming weeks to qualify for next year’s main Cup. Macdonald is optimistic about the team’s chances, asserting that they believe in their potential for success.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:10 PM.