Insider: Wayne Lambkin

In this edition of ‘Insider’ we learn more about Wests Tigers Assistant Coach Wayne Lambkin, who will also take charge of Western Suburbs Magpies in the NSW Cup this season.

Lambkin, also known as ‘Chops’, is one of the most experienced coaches in the game.  He has coached pathways teams at several clubs including North Sydney, Canterbury, Penrith, Manly and Wests Tigers.

He joined Wests Tigers in 2019 as the club’s Jersey Flegg coach after guiding a talented Manly Under-20s team to premiership glory.  This season will be Lambkin’s second in charge of the Magpies in the NSW Cup.

Lambkin is very well known in rugby league circles having carved a very successful coaching path at Sydney’s Westfield Sports High School. 

This is the school which has produced some of the biggest names in Australian sport, like former test cricket captain Michael Clarke, current test opener Usman Khawaja, Socceroos' goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, dual international Israel Folau…and the list goes on.

It’s also a school which has developed some of rugby league’s brightest stars, including several Wests Tigers players, like Pat Richards, Bryce Gibbs, Dene Halatau, Liam Fulton…and others.

Lambkin headed up Westfield’s Rugby League program for two decades, before joining Wests Tigers in a full time capacity last year.

Wests Tigers continues to have strong links with Lambkin's former school. Several of the club's current players are former students, including David Klemmer, Stefano Utoikamanu and Tommy Talau.  

Lambkin could take credit for much of the rugby league talent that he nurtured through Westfields, but that’s not his style.

The former Wests Magpies' forward goes about his business with great attention to detail and minimum fuss.

He is quietly spoken yet a great communicator. He is humble and highly respected. He is described by a close colleague at Wests Tigers as ‘meticulous’ and ‘highly knowledgeable’.

Coaching first grade’s ‘feeder’ team is not an easy gig.  It can be somewhat of a transit lounge with players coming in and out of the team on a weekly basis.  Patience, and a ‘club first mentality', are therefore essential prerequisites for the role.

One of the best parts of the job for Lambkin is helping younger players on their way to a NRL debut. 

As he explains, they are but one group of players he needs to understand.

“There are broadly three types of players in reserve grade,” Lambkin says.

“You get the first-grade player that doesn’t want to be in reserve grade, and you get the guy who is a very good player but who might not ever play first-grade.

Then there are the juniors coming through who are bypassing reserve grade and on to first grade.

Wayne Lambkin

Lambkin says he’s excited about the rebuild ahead, of which he is a big part.

“At different times at clubs you go through a bit of a rebuild and you get a pathway of consistency coming through,” Lambkin said.

“We are starting to see that now here at Wests Tigers."