NRL news: Adam Reynolds vs Lachlan Ilias, stats compared after 47 games

Jason Demetriou has sent a subtle dig at Adam Reynolds as statistics reveal where Lachlan Ilias has eclipsed the former Souths halfback.

Adam Reynolds scores despite a tackle attempt from Lachlan Ilias. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou declared halfback Lachlan Ilias is “going to be the best halfback the club has had for a long time” in a subtle dig at former long-term no. 7 Adam Reynolds.

A fired up Demetriou jumped to the defence of Ilias who produced arguably the best performance of his career in South Sydney’s win against the Tigers on Friday night.

It was not that performance alone which prompted Demetriou to back his halfback but instead the growth of Ilias has left Demetriou little double on his career trajectory. .

Ilias finished Friday’s win with two try assists, a line-break assist and a line-break of his own during the 32-18 victory.

The performance came just a week after Reynolds led Brisbane to victory against South Sydney.

“He is a kid who is coming up to his 50th game, he is getting better every week and I am really proud of him,” Demetriou said.

“His temperament showed why we believe he is going to be the best halfback the club has had for a long time.”

The statistics between Reynolds and Ilias are eerily similar after the opening 47 games of their respective careers. At the same stage Reynolds had won five more games but Ilias leads tries, possessions, and line-break assists.

Reynolds had more try-assists at the same stage. Head-to-head Reynolds leads 2-1 after their most recent victory.

Jason Demetriou says comparing Lachlan Ilias to Adam Reynolds is unfair. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“We beat Brisbane earlier in the year and there was no talk about how great Lachie Ilias was and how rubbish Adam Reynolds is,” Demetriou said.

“The results turned and the talk started again.

“He is a 50-gamer. It’s unfair to keep comparing the kid (with Reynolds). It’s unfair to be making up conversations around him which are unfounded.

“They weren’t true. At no point was I leaving him out of this game.”

Ilias’s form was questioned after he had a quiet showing against the Broncos. His strong performance was coupled with Latrell Mitchell’s return to the field.

Demetriou said he was forced to address the external noise surrounding Ilias.

“To be honest there was no pressure on Lachie from me,” Demetriou said.

“I thought the talk was misguided and unfounded. It was disrespectful to everything that was going on in our club.

Souths playmaker Lachlan Ilias is making big strides. Picture: NRL Photos

“I’m a big fan of Lachie. I know what he can bring. He has played the last 12 weeks without his starting fullback. Three or four weeks without his starting 13 and six. He has played with a different centre in the last few weeks.

“Unfortunately yeah, I had to address the rubbish that gets spoken about him.”

The Rabbitohs are in the midst of a heavy-travel schedule. They returned to Sydney late on Friday night following their game in Tamworth and will travel to Perth on Monday before they play the Sharks in a vital top eight clash.

“We had 60 really good minutes and 20 minutes where we lost our way,” Demetriou said. “I don’t think the starting middles owned the middle third.

“The most important thing is keeping on picking up the two points. We will build our game. We will get to September and everyone in this club knows what we can achieve.”