Rugby league legend Andrew Johns believes Adrian Lam would be the ideal man to take charge of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs.
The Chiefs are set to enter the NRL ahead of the 2028 campaign and they are now in the process of identifying the man who will take charge of the club’s first season. Four UK-based coaches have been named as candidates in the press down under, with Lam, Brad Arthur, Willie Peters and Jason Demetriou said to have been included on a four-man shortlist.
Arthur and Peters have been regularly linked with jobs in the NRL and it would seem as though both men are likely to head back down under at some stage in the future. However, Johns has his doubts about whether the Hull KR boss would be ready for such a role at this point in his coaching career.
Instead, Johns believes Arthur would be the favourite to take on the role, given his background and experience. However, the former Warrington Wolves man believes Lam would be the perfect man for the job.
Lam collected 11 caps for PNG as a player, but he also coached the national team for a significant period, too, with the 55-year-old considered to be one of the best the nation has ever produced.
And, for that reason, Johns thinks the Leigh Leopards boss ought to be considered.
“I think Adrian Lam would be ideal,” he said on the Sunday Footy Show. “He’s an absolute hero in Papua New Guinea.”
“I think Brad Arthur would probably be the front runner looking at those candidates.
“For Willie Peters to have his first job in the NRL… Willie Peters will be an NRL coach but is first job being PNG would be a difficult one. They’re going to live in some sort of compound, you’re going to be a father figure. It’s much more [than coaching the team].”
Hull FC under pressure, Huddersfield Giants in crisis and shock Super League predictions – click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
