Jack Tafa Lam (born 18 November 1987) is a New Zealand-born, Australian-raised rugby player who plays as a flanker for Moana Pasifika and internationally for Samoa.

Jack Lam
Jack Tafa Lam
Full nameJack Tafa Lam
Date of birth (1987-11-18) 18 November 1987 (age 37)
Place of birthHamilton, New Zealand
Height188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight110 kg (243 lb; 17 st 5 lb)
SchoolSt. Edmund's College
Notable relative(s)Pat Lam (cousin)
Seilala Mapusua (uncle)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008 Tasman 9 (0)
2009–2013 Waikato 36 (10)
2011–2014 Hurricanes 53 (15)
2014–2019 Bristol 71 (115)
2020–2021 NEC Green Rockets 8 (5)
2021- Waikato 6 (5)
2022- Moana Pasifika 6 (0)
Correct as of 27 May 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006 Australia U19 3 (0)
2013– Samoa 40 (40)
Correct as of 14 June 2022

Lam played seven matches for Tasman in 2008 before moving north to Waikato in 2009.[1] He has international experience with the Samoan national team as well with the Australian Secondary Schools side. He has signed with Moana Pasifika for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.[2]

Early life

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Lam was born in Hamilton but moved to Wellington at an early age and then to Canberra where he attended St Edmund's College. He made the Australian Secondary Schools' side in 2004 and 2005. He is a cousin of former All Black and Samoan international Pat Lam. Lam's first year in the Australian Schools team was at centre, before he was converted into a loose forward the following year and made the team again as a flanker.

Domestic career

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Lam made his debut for Tasman in the 2008 Air New Zealand Cup competition, starting at number seven against Bay of Plenty.

After seven starts for Tasman in 2008 Lam returned to the Waikato to be part of the 2009 Chiefs Wider Training Squad. He also went on to make his first appearance for Waikato, again starting in the number seven position against Southland.

Lam continued his career with Waikato during the 2010 ITM Cup, mainly starting at openside flanker. At the end of 2010, Lam signed with the Wellington Super Rugby franchise the Hurricanes for 2011.

Lam started at openside flanker in every match in his rookie year in Super Rugby. He returned for another full season with Waikato in the 2011 ITM Cup.

Lam made the switch to Europe in 2014, joining then Greene King IPA Championship side Bristol.[3][4] In December 2015 he signed a new contract for two more seasons with Bristol (until 2018).[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Jack Lam Waikato Profile". Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  2. ^ "Moana Pasifika community celebrates historic first Super Rugby squad". Moana Pasifika (Press release). 22 November 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  3. ^ Napier, Liam (6 March 2014). "Hurricane Jack Lam confirms move to Bristol". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  4. ^ "Esportif International – Jack Lam". esportif.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Jack Lam: Bristol flanker signs new contract". BBC Sport. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
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