We are ready to take on the Vodafone Fiji Bati. This was the gist of Papua New Guinea Kumuls scrum-half Lachlan Lam’s interview with SUNsports in Suva yesterday. The 26-year-old
We are ready to take on the Vodafone Fiji Bati.
This was the gist of Papua New Guinea Kumuls scrum-half Lachlan Lam’s interview with SUNsports in Suva yesterday.
The 26-year-old said, they are aware that the Bati would start as favourites in Saturday night’s Pacific Bowl showdown because they have the home ground advantage.
“They (Bati) are a good side,” Lam said.
“We’ve had a couple of ravages in the past and we are keen to go again this weekend.”
He is the son of the legendary Adrian Lam who was one of the NRL superstars while playing for Sydney Roosters from 1994-2000 and also represented Queensland Maroons in the State of Origin on 14 occasions.
Lam (Lachlan) who made his NRL debut while playing for Roosters in Round 2 of the 2019 season, said the Kumuls are keeping their eyes on the top prize this weekend.
He said Bati has the services of superstar forward Viliame Kikau and premiership winner Sunia Turuva and it has no effect on their preparation.
Lam will pair up with Kyle Laybutt in the halves for the Kumuls as they defend their title at the HFC Bank Stadium, Suva, on Saturday.
Lachlan Lam on October 16, 2024. Photo: Josua Buredua
“Kyle is a very good player and we looking to creating more opportunities for our side during game day.
“It will be a great day of footy and we hope to be the best and defend it on that day,” he said.
The Kumuls are the defending Pacific Bowl Champions.
He added they are here with the goal to win.
“We just want to win. We want to stand up for each other and play a game that we will be proud of,” he said.
Lam said the main goal of the team is to have each other’s back in and out of the field.
He added the team has been settling in well to the weather and are pumped up for the game against the Bati.
PNG Kumuls full-back Nene Macdonald added that they had always dreamt of playing in Fiji.
“It has always been a dream, but now it’s a reality,” he said.
Macdonald, who has played 16 Tests for PNG said they would have to win the next few weeks to earn a place in the main Cup next year.
“We believe in ourselves; we believe that we can do it. I don’t think that anyone should be in the team if they don’t aspire to reach those limits, so it is what we want to do.
“I think we’re going to have a strong battle this weekend but it’s going to be an exciting one,” he said.
The match kicks-off at 8.10pm.
Feedback: josua.buredua@fijisun.com.fj
