‘A star is born’: Souths halfback Lachlan Ilias singled out by PM

South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias may be in his second season in the NRL but the opening round of 2023 has signalled his arrival.

Albo has called out the youngster. Photo: NCA Newswire and Getty Images

South Sydney produced the bravest performance of the weekend to open their season with a 27-18 win in Cronulla after a pair of early injuries, but Souths halfback Lachlan Ilias has stolen the show.

There were times last year when it looked like the decision to release Adam Reynolds was one of the worst calls ever, but South Sydney officials look like geniuses after Lachlan Ilias produced the best 80 minutes of his career.

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It looked like the footy gods had concocted a Greek tragedy when Ilias was hooked in the first half of a game last year against the Dragons, but he was herculean on Saturday in a Rabbitohs side that lost two players in the opening half-hour.

The young half spoke in the off-season about playing with more confidence, and he lived up to that promise with a lot more touches in dangerous areas as South Sydney’s right edge outplayed its usually dominant left.

It was fitting that Ilias opened the scoring with a solo effort close to the line, but only after he produced the try-saver of the season to deny Ronaldo Mulitalo in the corner – although the Sharks winger did something special in defence minutes later.

Ilias then put it on a plate for Keaon Koloamatangi who dropped it cold over the line, but the back-rower made amends before halftime after receiving a nice pass from his halfback who was also superb in defence.

Ilias has his teammates’ respect. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Fox League’s Dan Ginnane was blown away by the performance.

“Lachlan Ilias, it is his second season but it feels like tonight a star is born,” Ginnane said.

“This, you’d have to say, is the best we have seen of him as he continues his development.”

Souths coach Jason Demetrious wasn’t about to say it was Ilias’ best game but did heap praise on the youngster.

“I don’t know, it is up there he was good,” Demetriou said

”He wasn’t perfect and I didn’t think he was going to be. I didn’t think anyone was going to be it is Round 1.

“But he’s a first grader. He has an established first grader and he knows how to play footy and I thought he identified some areas that we could exploit in the first half and in the second half they were pretty clinical in going after it.”

Social media lost it for the performance, including Prime Minister and Souths fan Anthony Albanese, who singled out the 22-year-old.

Top start to season 2023 from @SSFCRABBITOHS#NRLSharksRabbitohs - great game from Lachlan Ilias ❤️💚#SSTID

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 4, 2023

This was about the save but also relevant for the try, the kids on fire call 000

— lavender baj (@lavosaurus) March 4, 2023

Loving the @SSFCRABBITOHS Lochie Ilias of 2023 .. look out ! 💥#confidence

— Michelle Bishop (@7michellebishop) March 4, 2023

But along with the an injury to Jai Arrow and HIA for Tevita Tatola, there were concerns for Latrell Mitchel.

but all eyes will be on Latrell Mitchell after the Rabbitohs superstar battled through a knee injury that hampered him for 40 minutes.

Latrell had some attention on his knee. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Mitchell needed assistance from the trainer for the final two minutes of the first half and then had his left knee heavily strapped at the break, with fears that he’d done serious damage.

Those fears were allayed 10 minutes into the second half when he charged back from a kick return and skittled several Sharks with a trademark carry, but there are no guarantees the World Cup winner will be right for next week’s epic showdown with the Panthers.

He wasn’t as dominant as he can be, but Mitchell did kick a crucial penalty goal to make it 20-12, then threw the final pass to set up Campbell Graham for the sealer and then kicked a field goal as the siren sounded.

Mitchell’s fitness will determine how far the Rabbitohs go in 2023, and a five-day turnaround isn’t ideal for a man who has dealt with several hamstring injuries throughout his career, often coming at the worst possible time.