Hurricanes match-winner Ben Lam will depart at the end of the Super Rugby season to take up a contract with French club Bordeaux.
Lam, 28, was a long-serving New Zealand sevens player and emerged in recent seasons as an All Blacks candidate, without getting a call-up.
The powerhouse winger is a proven tryscorer and in 2018 went over for a Super Rugby season-record 16 tries.
His form has continued into this season, breaking the game open with two tries in last weekend’s win over the Sharks in Wellington.
Lam has agreed to a two-year deal with Bordeaux, replacing former NRL star Semi Radradra, who is moving to Bristol in the next European club season.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yes another very talented player departs our shores! It's a shame really as I feel, through injury & other issues. we never saw Ben at his best consistently, at this level. He proved time & again his brilliance during his time representing his country in the World Sevens . Many times his class stood out.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Yup Pinetree, couldn't have outlined Lam's weaknesses better. He would e a major liability in Test rugby ... just defensive positioning. He turns around like a truck with punctured tyres ... but has unmatched strength and is in the highest percentile on speed ... that has surprised many people ... big man can really shift.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
You don't think it was Lam's defensive positioning, collecting kicks, and work rate off the ball that gave the AB selectors reason to not pick him over other wingers? I guess not, since you are "amazed" he wasn't selected for the ABs?
frisky
Roar Rookie
What a great loss to the Hurricanes and to NZ rugby. I was amazed that he has not made the AB side. Do not know his speed in open running.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
Your name is also Ben?
Ben
Guest
I coached Ben at 1st xv level St Peters College. We pulled him in as a year 11. Hes a very introverted, shy kid and plays that way. Even in those days, like now, he could win you matches with his out and out pace and power. Other days youd think "is Ben on the field?" I think its that lack of consistency and workrate that keeps him out of AB contention. I remember we played St Kents at "The Cage" as the last game of the year. St Kents were out right favourites. We won, but my everlasting memory was Ben fielding a deep kick on our own 22. St Kents defence was only covering about three quarters of the width of the field. Ben put the foot down and made this huge cross field arcing run right around the whole dee line. Nobody was fast enough to get across to get him and he ran it in for an amazing try. Ex Còunties and Maori AB, Te Rau Clarke had a boy playing for St Kents that day. Te Rau and i used to play together and he comes over to me and says "who the f@£k is that kid? How fast is he?" Good luck Ben. Hurricanes, Wellington and i are all gonna miss you boy.....