RUGBY LEAGUE legend James Graham has called for Lachlan Lam to be suspended after what he has called a “disgraceful” act.
Lam, who was captaining the Papua New Guinea side, steered the Kumuls to a 42-20 win over the Cook Islands in week three of the Pacific Championships.
However, it’s fair to say that Graham was not amused with one act that the Leigh Leopards star committed during that victory.
After kicking the ball, Lam appeared to jump into a Cook Islands chaser’s back, with referee Peter Gough awarding Lam and PNG a penalty.
“The PNG game, I’m doing my best not to swear, but it was the worst decision I’ve ever seen in my life,” Graham said on his Bye Round podcast.
“Lachie Lam, that was beyond embarrassing. It was disgraceful. Greg Alexander said in the commentary the penalty should have been reversed and given to the Cook Islands and I agree.
“He should have been sent off. It was disgraceful play-acting. Lachie Lam has kicked the ball, the Cook Islands player has come to put pressure on, turned his back then Lachie Lam has jumped into the Cook Islands player, literally jumped, fallen back and got a penalty. It was a disgrace.
“I’m so p****d off about it, it was disgraceful. He should be suspended for it. This game has no room for simulation, for faking, for play-acting or for mimicking.
“It was beyond disgraceful. I’ve been involved in some incidents where people can go ‘you can talk’ but our game has got no place for certain actions and it’s got no place for that.
“I can’t believe the referees were fooled, it p****d me off beyond belief.”
Strong words from the former England international!
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