Adrian Lam delivers his verdict on Leigh Leopards rebrand

Leigh Leopards coach Adrian Lam says there has been a “real buzz” around the town following the club’s rebrand in the off-season.

The Papua New Guinea legend took over the coaching reins at Leigh ahead of last season, guiding the club to promotion to Super League in his first season in charge.

Lam joined the club as a Centurion, but the club have rebranded to Leopards ahead of their return to the top flight.

“We absolutely love it, I absolutely love it,” Lam told Love Rugby League. “I love all the kit we’ve got. There’s a real buzz around town with it.

“It was slow on the uptake originally but you get that at every club that changes. Me and the boys at training love it, it’s been a real breath of fresh air for us.

“Everyone loves it, I’m telling you. I just feel like Derek (Beaumont, owner) wanted to make it more personal for the club and I think the change has been good for us as a group.

“We had an amazing 2022 season in the Championship and we couldn’t have done any more than what we did really, but coming here today (Super League launch), just gives you the reminder that you’ve got to sit at the top table with the big boys now.”

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She’s so Loveleigh

The Leopards welcome neighbours Salford to the Leigh Sports Village in their opening game on Friday, February 17.

And there’s plenty of entertainment planned on and off the field. Scouting for Girls will play a 45-minute set at the stadium before the game, including their hit songs She’s So Lovely, Heartbeat and Elvis Ain’t Dead.

“Round One will be massive for us because there’s a heap of entertainment planned for Friday night,” Lam said.

“We’ve done a few promotions in town so there is a really good buzz around the place at the moment. Hopefully Friday night will be a sell-out.”

Adrian Lam provides recruitment update

The Leopards have enjoyed an impressive recruitment drive over the off-season. They’ve made several impressing signings, including Zak Hardaker, Ricky Leutele and Gareth O’Brien.

But ideally, Lam says he would like to add to his 27-man squad in the coming months.

“I’d like to make a couple more,” he continued. “Ava Seumanufagai came into the squad last week and he is a big body, so he’ll do well for us. We just need to get him to the point of game speed. He’s just a little bit behind the eight ball at the moment.

“We’ll add to the group as we go along over the next couple of months, but I’m really happy with the squad at the moment. They are a tight bunch of boys who are working hard for each other.”

Lam also believes his former club Wigan could knock the dominant St Helens off their perch this year.

“I think Wigan have a chance, I really do,” he added. “The boys that they’ve got there over the last two years have certainly balanced the team out.”

Lam’s Leopards get their Super League campaign underway against Salford at home on Friday night.

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