NRL 2023: Lachlan Ilias and Nathan Cleary headline intriguing halfback battles in Round 2
Fresh from a career-best performance, Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias is ready to take on his Panthers counterpart Nathan Cleary, and win. See the key halves battles for Round 2.
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Fresh from a career-best performance, South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias is ready to take it to his Penrith counterpart Nathan Cleary in Thursday night’s blockbuster against the Panthers.
Ilias’ match-up with Cleary headlines and kickstarts a number of intriguing halfback duels in round 2.
Fuelled with confidence, Ilias isn’t shying away from the challenge of taking on Cleary.
“Yeah, I do,” Ilias responded when asked if he took his positional battle with Cleary personally.
“Going up against him is a challenge. If I can play better than him, that’s the goal, and that would be unreal. But I want to do my job for them and that will help me with that.
“He takes control of that Penrith team, and I feel like we have different roles. He is always on the ball for Penrith and our team, everyone has their own role in getting through the set.”
The 22-year-old looked in complete control in round 1 against Cronulla, having a hand in all of South Sydney’s tries and even put his body on the line to make two try-saving tackles.
It’s a far cry from the Ilias who was hooked back in Round 15 by coach Jason Demetriou last season.
The growth in Ilias’ game has silenced the doubters and critics that bagged South Sydney’s decision to move on Adam Reynolds to bank on the rising playmaker.
“I can’t get ahead of myself it’s only one game,” Ilias said.
“JD (Demetriou) has been massive for me, he’s helped me so much to get to where I am today.
“He’s made sure I keep it simple.
“He told me to focus on three things, my defence, my kicking and my confidence.
“My confidence helps me run and threaten the ball with my running game. If I do that, it opens up Keaon (Koloamatangi) on the edge and Trell (Mitchell) out back.”
But Ilias’ coach isn’t the only one that has helped craft the youngster growing arsenal.
Former teammate Reynolds has always offered support both and off the field. But the one with the biggest impact on Ilias’ formative years was former Manly premiership winner, turned Titans playmaker Kieran Foran.
“Growing up I watched a lot of Foran. My dad made me watch his highlight reels,” Ilias said.
“His running game, just how he digs into the line, he isn’t scared to take a hit, he’s tough, to give space to players on his outside. He still does it today.”
Verdict: Cleary to bounce back from last week’s loss to Brisbane with a man-of-the-match performance.
WHO WINS KEY HALFBACK MATCH-UPS IN ROUND TWO
Adam Reynolds v Chad Townsend
Reynolds’ game management, premier kicking game and general calmness, will give Brisbane a genuine shot at victory over the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium.
Like last week, when the Broncos needed the clutch field goal, Reynolds was there.
But, so too was Townsend for the Cowboys with scores level and time ticking away.
Both Reynolds and Townsend are seasoned campaigners with cool and calm heads in the clutch moments.
The XXXX derby will be a fierce battle and promises to be a tight contest on Friday night with the Broncos buoyed from knocking off the premiers Penrith in a round one boil over.
Verdict: Adam Reynolds to steer the Broncos to victory and get the better of Chad Townsend.
Jahrome Hughes v Kyle Flanagan
While the Storm will miss Munster (finger), Hughes showed against the Eels, he is capable of taking complete control when the game is on the line.
He’ll have no problems doing the same against a Canterbury outfit that looks weeks away from its best football.
The Melbourne halfback actually has a winning record of over 90 per cent without halves partner Cameron Munster, but last year Hughes actually lost two of the three games he played without his five-eighth by his side.
The Bulldogs big men have struggled to win the contest in the middle over the last couple of seasons, making it near impossible for Flanagan to wrestle back dominance for his side.
For Flanagan to have a chance of dominating the play for the Bulldogs, Canterbury’s forward pack must be prepared to lay a platform for their No.7.
Verdict: Jahrome Hughes will thrive without Cameron Munster.
Luke Brooks v Jackson Hastings
Hastings says his return to Leichhardt Oval on Sunday will be like every other game for him. Except for the fact that it won’t be, because Hastings‘ own competitive nature won’t allow it.
The playmaker will run out in Newscaster colours with a point to prove, that the Wests Tigers were wrong to see him as anything other than a halfback and to relegate him beneath Luke Brooks in that No.7 pecking order.
He’ll want to get one over Brooks, and on sheer determination, will do that.
Brooks won’t be in for an easy Sunday afternoon, not only will he be in for a mental battle with Hastings, but he should be expecting plenty of traffic in defence. Brooks missed five tackles in round one, with the Titans exploiting that deficiency.
Verdict: Jackson Hastings to exact revenge on the Tigers.
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