RL Today: Kumul Lam, England tickets, Jamaica hopes & Smith on Connor

Drew Darbyshire 18 Oct 2022 7:00 AM

Kumul Lam

Leigh star Lachlan Lam says he can’t wait to play in his second World Cup for Papua New Guinea. (Yorkshire Live)

Lam told Yorkshire Live: “We showed earlier in the year with the Pacific test win against Fiji what we can do. It means a lot to the boys when we pull on the PNG jumper and I don’t think people realise that. We’ll be looking to turn up and make some inroads.”

Smith on Connor

Hull FC coach Tony Smith has discussed Jake Connor’s exit for the first time since the full-back returned to Huddersfield. (The Yorkshire Post)

Smith told TYP: “I’m very much, and always have been, of the mind that if a player wants to be at the club, I’ll coach him and if he doesn’t, I’ll respect that as well.”

Miski loving Lebanon life

Wigan winger Abbas Miski says he is loving life in the Lebanon camp. (Wigan Today)

The Cedars fell short to a 34-12 defeat against New Zealand in their opening game of the World Cup. Miski told Wigan Today: “Camp has been absolutely great, the boys are enjoying each other’s company. The coaches are all great, and everything has been positive in training.”

England’s surge in ticket sales

England’s second game of the World Cup is on course to sell out after a surge in sales following their 60-6 win over Samoa. (Yorkshire Live)

Shaun Wane’s side face France in Bolton on Saturday. Less than 3,000 tickets remain for the clash at the 29,000-capacity University of Bolton Stadium, according to Yorkshire Live.

Jamaica hope to inspire next generation

Jamaica lead coach Jermaine Coleman says hopes their first-ever World Cup campaign will inspire the next generation of Jamaicans around the world to pick up a rugby ball. (Mirror)

Speaking after their 48-2 defeat to Ireland, Coleman told the Mirror: “Rugby league has still got a disconnect with the Caribbean community here but we saw with the fans tonight there’s an appetite for it. Now we need to feed that – then go back over to Jamaica and up-skill players on the island.”

Widnes sign ex-Wigan youngster

Widnes have signed young centre Max Roberts from Swinton on a one-year deal for 2023.

The 22-year-old came through the ranks at Wigan, helping the Warriors win the Academy Grand Final in 2019. Roberts helped Swinton win promotion from League 1 last season, making 23 appearances.

Roberts said: “Ideally I see myself playing Championship rugby, and Widnes Vikings was the perfect move for me.”

Birthdays

Huddersfield’s new signing Jake Connor turns 28 today (October 18).

Also celebrating; former Wigan winger Brett Dallas (48), ex-Widnes centre Andrew Emelio (41), Cook Islands international Anthony Gelling (32), France full-back Morgan Escaré (31), Ireland prop Robbie Mulhern (28) and Bradford forward Sam Hallas (26).

Trivia

Australia legend Johnathan Thurston holds the record for most goals at World Cups, kicking 52 for the Kangaroos between the 2008-13 tournaments.

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