Adrian Lam, the coach of Leigh Leopards, believes that Aaron Pene, a recent addition, will have a “really big future” both at the team and in Super League.
Stronghold prop Pene signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Leigh last month after being released by NRL powerhouse Melbourne Storm.
Pene made his Leigh debut in their June 21 loss to Leeds at AMT Headingley, barely one week after he arrived in England. Lam was impressed by his first outing before the international break.
Prior to Friday’s trip to his previous club Wigan, Lam stated in his news conference, “Obviously we’ve been tracking him for a long time now, the last 18 months.”
He is a player who, in my opinion, has a bright future at Leigh. Once he feels like he belongs and has the confidence of the players around him, he’ll light up Super League.
“I believe that he will be a truly impressive player to see in the Super League for the remainder of this season and for many years to come. I was genuinely happy for him.
Lam also gave an update on Darnell McIntosh, a recent addition who joined from Hull FC in May as part of a trade that also saw Tom Briscoe go.
McIntosh, a fullback or winger, has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Leopards. He has played in two games for Lam’s team thus far and has been 18th man four times.
During his press conference, Lam stated, “Darnell is obviously a player that is our future over the next couple of years.”
He has been 18th man almost every week and has been waiting for an opportunity behind the outside backs. It’s been difficult to force Darnell in there and leave someone else out because I think the lads who have been in the starting 13 or 17 have performed well for us in recent weeks.
“Players have a responsibility to ensure their performance. I’m excited to give him a chance when we get the chance, which might not come around for the remainder of the year. I’ve discussed this with Darnell, and he knows this.”
“I know he’s a little irritated that he’s not playing, but the idea behind me as a coach is to give the players an opportunity to play well every week and to do what I’ve asked: if they can do that then they hold their spot so that’s the current position. Nothing will change that unless something doesn’t go quite to plan.
We brought him here because we anticipate a future for him in one of our roles in our 13 or 17 years old. I’m sure it is (frustrating) every week (for him). He is aware of that.
“This is comparable to Josh Charnley’s arrival in 2022; at that time, we were in the Championship, and he arrived in July without having played for us. He wasn’t on the promotion squad for us that year because the players that were playing were performing so well, and he only played a few occasions for us. Unless something doesn’t work out, my belief is for the players to hang onto their places as long as they can. Darnell and I have discussed this same idea. There, we’re in a reasonably excellent position.
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