It's a somewhat perverse and illogical situation that Lam grows in demand offshore and the contradiction is best explained by this fact: the Brits can't shake their inferiority complex when it comes to New Zealanders and rugby.
Outwardly the majority of the rugby fraternity over there appear to be hardly lacking in confidence. Far from it - the England World Cup squad are testimony to that.
But dig a little deeper and it can be seen they are so easily drawn in and seduced by almost anyone with a Kiwi accent and a half decent CV.
It's always been like that. Throughout the amateur age, blokes with backpacks would turn up at clubs across the UK, explain they had just arrived from the Wairarapa or any other exotic-sounding name to old world ears and that would be enough have to them ushered into the first team.
It's still like that - the English, French and Celtic leagues are awash with players and coaches who never quite fulfilled their potential back here but are paid a King's ransom and revered over there.
Being a New Zealander is usually enough in itself to secure a top contract without anyone poking around too hard for proof of quality and performance. It says everything that Sale are looking for a new head coach after sacking former Waikato coach Tony Hanks, a man they picked up after he was fired by Wasps. Does anyone remember Hanks at Waikato?
In the case of Lam there are still plenty of influential figures in Europe who remember him from his playing days at Northampton and Newcastle where he was a superb leader.
Memories of him winning the title with Newcastle and the Heineken Cup with Northampton no doubt remain strong for many club executives of today - and that will be enough.
On that basis someone will hire Lam should he be discarded by the Blues.
