Is Jackson Hastings' future at hooker?

Highly-valued Sam Powell will again be Wigan s first-choice No.9 this year, and has proved capable of motoring through 80 minutes.

But having let young hooker Amir Bourouh join Halifax on a season-long loan, there may be times the Warriors need cover in the vital role.

There were occasions last year when Powell was off the pitch and Lam used Hastings - rather than Kiwi Thomas Leuluai - at dummy-half.

And Lam says he has long-tipped the 25-year-old to scale the heights as a hooker.

"When I was in Australia and he was in the juniors, he was a half but I always saw him as a State of Origin-level hooker," said Lam, a former Queensland captain.

"That's what i saw him as.

"When you stand besides him, he's massive for a half, he's tall and thickset, he has a physique that could easily play 13 or 9. He could play No.9 in the NRL and a do a great job there."

With new recruit Jai Field and exciting academy graduate Harry Smith still in the mix, Lam has no shortage of playmakers.

And his challenge will be trying to get them all on the pitch at the same time.

"It sort of excites me having Sam Powell, Tommy Leuluai, Jai Field, Harry Smith and Bevan French as well (as Hastings) on the pitch at the same time - and hopefully we'll get to that point at some stage," he added. "We'll get to that and fingers crossed it works for us."

Hastings will be able to link-up with his Wigan teammates in training once he has completed a five day quarantine period.