NRL 2021: Lachlan Ilias will make his debut for Souths after being snatched from the Tigers

Lachlan Ilias may hail from the heart of Wests Tigers territory but the rising young halfback has slipped through their fingers and fallen into the lap of one of their arch rivals.

The banner celebrating Lachlan Ilias’ first grade debut for South Sydney hangs proudly in the heart of Wests Tigers territory, from the balcony of the family home in Five Dock.

Last year, as Covid wrecked the lower grade competitions, Ilias would head down to Leichhardt Oval with his manager, Braith Anasta, at least once – sometimes twice – a week to work on his kicking and running skills.

His hero growing up was Tigers legend Benji Marshall, the man he will make his first grade debut alongside on Saturday afternoon at Sunshine Coast Stadium as the undermanned Rabbitohs prepare for the finals by handing a maiden top grade appearance to one of the men in contention to step into the shoes of Adam Reynolds next season.

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Lachlan Ilias makes his NRL debut this weekend. Pic: Bryden Sharp.

As a teenager, Ilias had the choice between rugby league and rugby union. It was rugby union that inadvertently led him to Souths after a snubbing by his beloved Tigers that has provided the motivation for his ascent to the NRL.

When he was 17 and part of the Tigers system, Ilias broke his leg playing in a sevens rugby union tournament for NSW at Ballymore in Brisbane. The Tigers had promised him the world but suddenly their interest cooled.

His father, Arthur, takes up the story.

“He came through the Balmain Tigers system and their junior development all the way through to 16s,” Arthur Ilias said.

“He signed with the Tigers in 2017 and 2018. He was a Tigers fan, we still live in the area. They talked really highly of him and had big plans for him in the future.

“He was playing rugby union as well because he went to Trinity College. In December ’17, he made the NSW sevens rugby team and they went up and won the national championship.

“In the final he broke his leg. He got home. There were complications. It took quite a while for him to recover. In May the next year he wasn’t quite right and the Tigers came to a decision that his leg was going to prevent him regaining his strength and speed.

Lachlan Ilias’ family can’t get to Brisbane, so they made him a banner for him.

“They weren’t going to offer him a new contract.”

Three months later Ilias was picked in the Australian schoolboys rugby union team and soon enough, along came South Sydney.

Ilias was won over at a meeting with former coach Anthony Seibold and their ex-head of recruitment Ben Rogers – Rogers had kept an eye on Ilias after watching him tear Souths apart a few years early and jumped at the chance to get his signature on a contract.

Coincidentally, his signing was announced two years ago on the day Souths announced they had secured another rugby union prodigy – Joseph Suaalii, now of the Sydney Roosters.

“It was difficult for him – there was a lot of talk at the (Tigers) about big, big plans for him,” Arthur said.

“It didn’t quite work out that way. The pathway system we could see at the Rabbitohs, I could see longevity and a clear pathway to the NRL.”

The Tigers’ loss has been Souths gain.

Ilias in his Tigers days. Picture: framinglife.com.au

“First and foremost he is a great human being,” said Anasta, of Searoo Sports.

“He works his arse off, he did well at school, he studies at uni. He is a credit to the game in that regard. In terms of is footy, he is really steady. He has a great build – he is ripped up.

“We had a lot in common. He is a half. He wanted someone who could be a mentor. We have done a lot of work – last year during Covid we were doing a session a week for a while.

“We have a bit of a bond there.”

Ilias has also struck up a bond with Marshall. He grew up admiring the Tigers legend and now finds himself in the halves as he prepares to make his bow against St George Illawarra.

“I think every young Tiger grew up and revered Benji” Arthur said.

“You couldn’t write the script. When he (Marshall) signed this year with the Rabbitohs, which sort of came out of nowhere, Lachy came home with a big smile on his face.

“It is bittersweet for the family and all his friends that they can’t be there. It is his debut and a special time. We will be cheering from home.”

With the banner hanging proudly from the balcony no doubt.