ADRIAN LAM has revealed that “inspirational” Leigh Leopards star Umyla Hanley almost quit rugby league to head into the construction sector.
Hanley’s rise to the top has been meteoric, earning him a place in the 2025 Super League Dream Team.
But, after being told by Wigan Warriors that he was no longer needed back in 2022 after scoring five tries in 11 appearances, there seemed little opportunity for Hanley in rugby league.
Instead, the 23-year-old almost turned his back on the sport, as referenced by the man who has given Hanley the environment in which to grow and develop into one of the competition’s most potent centres.
“He has been outstanding, he’s been an inspiration. I gave him his debut at Wigan and when I left, they didn’t want to keep him sadly,” Lam told League Express.
“When I heard that, I dragged him over to Leigh. I made a phone call on a Saturday and I remember that he told me he had given up on rugby league, bought a pair of steel toecap boots and a hi-vis vest and was going to a construction site on the Monday.
“From that moment on, he has not left one stone unturned. He has been so professional and so inspirational.”
Lam also feels Hanley could make the England squad at the end of the year.
“I think he should at least be part of the extended England squad because I still think his best rugby is ahead of him.
“He has played well enough to be in there.”