Former Kumul great, Adrian Lam’s son, Lachlan Lam will have the honor to captain the PNG Kumuls for the first time on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby, when PNG hosts the visiting Cook Islands Aitu in week 3 of the Pacific Championships (Bowl category).
Adrian captained the Kumuls in 2000 and 24 years later, his son Lachlan will have the opportunity to lead the red, black and gold tri-colors at the spiritual home of rugby league in PNG.
Coincidentally, young Lachlan follows in the footsteps of his father, who was the same age as him when he led the Kumuls in 1996. We could say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Lachlan took over the reins from second-rower and most capped Kumul, Rhyse Martin, who left the team due to personal reasons, while former captain, Kyle Laybutt will deputize the rookie skipper.
Of all the equals and experienced players in the squad, young Lachlan said he was thankful to take on the mantle from Martin and revealed his dad’s reaction.
“I was a little bit emotional, but I’m very happy. I’m very proud and privileged to have the honor in captaining the Kumuls. It’s not something I take lightly and there’s a bit of history there with my family, so it’s very special for me,” Lachlan said with a beaming smile.
“Dad is an emotional guy, so he was crying when I told him the news. He has wanted this for me for a long time, but with a skipper like Rhyse Martin, you never know when you are going to get an opportunity. He was very emotional, happy and proud of me.”
For a young player to captain a national team on the international stage will be nerve-racking, but Lachlan Lam has enough experience and is ready to lead and bark orders on the field come Sunday.
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