Latest news with #JoelLam
Otago Daily Times
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Call-up for Manu Samoa sees another code switch for Lam
Joel Lam has returned to play for Burnside ahead of linking up with the Manu Samoa squad. Lam switched to rugby league earlier this year, playing twice for Hornby Panthers before a move to Australia. PHOTO: SIDELINE PHOTOGRAPHS Rugby league convert Joel Lam has made a surprise pivot back to union after being named in the Manu Samoa squad to play Scotland next month. The 23-year-old, who previously made eight appearances for Canterbury and one for the Crusaders, switched codes earlier this year to chase a rugby league career. He featured twice for the Hornby Panthers in the CRL Premiership before heading to Australia in April to join Brisbane club Souths Logan Magpies. However, last week Lam was named among 11 uncapped players in the Manu Samoa squad for their match against Scotland at Eden Park on July 18, as well as August's Pacific Nations Cup. The halfback qualifies for Samoa through his maternal grandfather William Lam, who was born in the island nation. 'I've always had the dream to represent Samoa and play for my granddad. He passed away when I was in high school, but he'll be smiling up there, that's for sure,' he said. Lam is related to Samoan international Ben Lam, his brother, Blues midfielder AJ Lam, and their uncle Pat Lam. Joel Lam playing for Burnside ahead of linking up with the Manu Samoa squad. PHOTO: SIDELINE PHOTOGRAPHS Pat Lam played 34 times for Samoa in the 1990s and also coached the Blues from 2009-12. 'We've got 300-plus cousins, uncles and aunties. The Lam family's pretty big over in Samoa, so we're related somewhere down the line,' he said. 'My granddad's one of 21 siblings, and obviously those brothers and sisters have all had children of their own, then those children have had daughters and sons, so we're all related.' Lam marked his return to union on Saturday, coming off the bench to score a try for Burnside in their 64–35 Metro Premier win over Christchurch. He will continue playing for the club until he links up with the Samoa squad on July 9. Lam said despite his switch back to the 15-man game he was still keeping his sporting options open. 'You want to take every opportunity, and I went and gave (league) a crack and there's nothing saying that door's closed either.'
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Code-hopping Panthers hooker becomes a Magpie
Hornby Panthers hooker Joel Lam has joined Souths Logan Magpies in Brisbane. PHOTO: SIDELINE PHOTOGRAPHS Hornby Panthers hooker Joel Lam has continued his switch from rugby union to league, joining Brisbane club Souths Logan Magpies. The 22-year-old former halfback played two games for the Panthers this season after making the code change. Lam previously captained Burnside in the Metro rugby competition, was part of the Crusaders academy and earned one Super Rugby cap. Panthers head coach Corey Lawrie wished Lam the best, saying he had been great to work with. 'The second game (for the Panthers) he played real well. Some real big carries for us towards the end of the game,' he said. 'He's a bit of a competitor, I think that's his best attribute.' Lawrie expects Lam, who left Christchurch last week, to start in the Magpies' reserve team, which is still at a higher level than the Canterbury competition. 'He'll start with the BRL, which is one below Queensland Cup, which is probably a couple of levels above our premier grade. 'He might get a shot this year, if he plays a couple of Q Cup games, he'd take that as a success.' While excited to watch Lam's next chapter unfold, Lawrie says his absence is being felt as the Panthers battle injuries. 'We could do with him right now. That's the way the system goes, just lacking a wee bit of firepower.'
