Update 16 November

Head Coach Pat Lam at the Press Announcement
of the Digicel Pacific Islanders team to play Scotland at Murrayfield:

On the team for Scotland

“I didn’t even realise that the split was five five five ( Samoa , Tonga , Fiji ) – this is the best 22 on the day.

The main changes are up front – thirty good players trying to give everybody a game and still come up with the best side.

On the game on Saturday

“We will be better this week than we were last week – the boys have been fantastic both in training and
off the park"

“We will get better as we go along.

“We worked really hard on our game this week – the boys have trained really well and we are looking forward to the game.

“We are moving in the right ".

On the inclusion of Rupeni Caucau

“To have Rupeni in the team is a boost to everybody - he is a world class player but we are blessed with many talented individuals and the real focus is to be one team on the same wavelength

“He can do things that others can not – he has an amazing natural ability. Wayne Pivac wrote a paragraph on each player but only had one word on Rupeni ‘freak’".

On the preparation for the tour

The hardest thing when you have never coached them – when you get together you go on what you see at training – a warm up game would have been ideal – relying on other people the three national coaches

“I don’t think there are many teams that come together like this.

“The guys have been playing different systems - sometimes you go back to your old ways- the boys were working it out as they went along in the game against Wales – they did it on the field".

On Scotland

“ Scotland have been magnificent – I keep a close eye on them from NZ

"Frank (Haddon) is doing a good job – bringing back Alan Tait and George Graham has been a great move.

“There is a good core of experience in the Scotland side.

“Scottish rugby is looking good with many young kids coming through".

On the concept of the Pacific Islanders

“The Digicel Pacific Islanders will never take the place of the three countries – but this is the best of the best – it is a fantastic opportunity for young guys – it’s a great concept and one that we want to continue

“We are thankful for the help of the IRB and the three Unions we are playing – without the regulation we would have struggled to make the tour

"We need more and more competition to gain experience - we have a big responsibility to perform well on this tour".