Leigh Leopards will make contract announcements in due course with Adrian Lam more focused on making history, something that he believes Edwin Ipape will have a big influence on.
Lam confirmed that Ipape is definitely past the injury niggles that saw his form dip and the Leigh boss noted that the hooker is ‘starting to get back to his best’, with the Leopards possibly set to expect more to come.
In mid-August, Ipape was confirmed to have been carrying both a groin injury and a knee issue for a few weeks with Adrian Lam admitting that the Papua New Guinean’s form hadn’t been up to his usual standards.
Having previously revealed a ‘one-on-one’ chat, Lam confirmed to the media today (Thursday) that those talks, as well as the time off, had helped the Leigh Leopards star take a step forward.
Lam said: “There was a period there where he was playing injured for probably about six or seven weeks and he wasn’t at his best but we’ve had clear and precise communications about what the expectation is with him.
“We rested him in a game or two and minimised his time at certain points, but he’s certainly back to his best now.”
Edwin Ipape ‘back to his best’ with warning sent ahead of Super League play-offs
That was on show last week against Warrington Wolves and after addressing the combination between Umyla Hanley and Keanan Brand, Lam also pointed to the impact of Edwin Ipape.
“I think Edwin Ipape is starting to get back to his best,” he said, adding: “He had a nice little kick in behind for Matty Davis’ try and he’s running a bit more now.
“I’m hoping that these next two weeks for Edwin, his game goes to another level. It usually does at this time of year because we’re going to need him.”
That was something he’d double down on, stating: “I know at the end of last year, his performance has changed a couple of really key games for us and no doubt he’s going to do the same this week, whether it’s through his defence or his attack. We need Edwin at his best and I feel really confident that he is back to that best and looking forward to watching him play.”
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Leigh Leopards contracts to be confirmed in coming weeks
Ipape’s form over previous years saw him land what was the longest contract in Super League with the hooker penning a deal earlier this year that tied him to the club until the end of 2031.
As such, he won’t have a contract worry for some time but a number of key players are off-contract and Lam offered an update on when those decisions will formally be announced.
He has previously suggested that playmakers Gaz O’Brien and his son Lachlan will be at the club in 2026, despite the pair officially being off-contract.
Speaking today, the Leigh Leopards boss said: “All those decisions will be made over the next couple of weeks, I feel. There’ll be some announcement in the next couple of weeks from the club, but we always usually hold it to the end of the year, so I’ll keep those cards close to myself at the moment.
“I’m excited about what’s to unfold for next year, but obviously more excited about what’s in front of us now. I think the club’s in a position where it’s never been at this time of year, in the top four, where we’re achieving goals and ticking targets and reaching things that we’ve never seen before. It’s great to be a part of enjoying the ride, but we’ve got to take advantage whilst we can.”
