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Lam keen to add spark to Wigan in SL

Former Sydney Roosters and Queensland star Adrian Lam has identified areas he needs to strengthen as new coach of English Super League side Wigan Warriors.

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Source: AAP


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Adrian Lam has identified areas he wants to strengthen as interim coach of Super League side Wigan.

The Warriors will begin their title defence without full-back Sam Tomkins and new Canberra Raiders forwards John Bateman and Ryan Sutton from their Grand Final-winning team.

That's around 800 games worth of experience, according to former Sydney Roosters and Queensland star Adrian Lam, who spent four seasons at Wigan from 2001.

The club have brought in former England full-back Zak Hardaker and Barrow prop Joe Bullock, while Joe Greenwood was signed in mid-season as the replacement for Bateman.

Lam, 48, who has succeeded Shaun Wane on a 12-month contract pending the arrival of Shaun Edwards from Wales' rugby union side in 2020, admits it would be "madness" to make wholesale changes but says there is room for improvement to the team's attack.

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"You can't do much better than win the Grand Final so to come and change everything would be madness but if it means tinkling a little bit with the attack, which is my strength, we'll do that," said the former Papua New Guinea coach.

Executive director Kris Radlinksi confirmed that Hardaker would report for pre-season training in the first week of December.

The former Man of Steel's 14-month cocaine ban ran out on November 7 but he is currently undergoing alcohol rehabilitation treatment after being convicted of drink-driving.

Meanwhile, Wigan have given a three-year contract extension to Grand Final hero Dom Manfredi.

The 25-year-old winger, who scored two tries in the Warriors' 12-4 win over Warrington at Old Trafford to cap a fairytale comeback from injury, is now tied to the champions until 2021.


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