‘We were just no good’: Jai Arrow rejects Lachlan Ilias criticism after disastrous end to South Sydney’s season

Jai Arrow has wrapped his arms around Lachlan Ilias as South Sydney’s young halfback prepares to kick off the season under searing pressure and scrutiny. WEEKEND READ

The NRL’s Vegas-bound clubs and players have been put on notice over the perils of Sin City. For the Brisbane Broncos, it came a week too late.

With the utmost respect to Las Vegas police lieutenant Kendall Bell, the sight of Adam Reynolds and a well-lubricated Patrick Carrigan going at it after the Broncos season launch may have had more impact than any words of wisdom from the man in charge for security at the recent Super Bowl.

A relatively quite off-season was woken from its slumber while most of us were tucked in bed as rugby league received a front page reminder that nothing good happens when you mix alcohol with some footballers looking to blow off some steam.

It was a black eye for the Broncos – they deserve credit for the way they responded to the matter – but it may end up being the best thing for a code which has spent the off-season patting itself on the back.

A tepid few months had some of us, particularly, the hacks in the media, bemoaning the lack of drama. Whispers were that the game and its players had finally grown up.

The penny, seemingly, had finally dropped. Those suggesting as much clearly spoke too soon.

It wasn’t exactly the summer from hell but the Broncos incident was a sledgehammer reminder that the game and its clubs can’t afford to rest on their laurels.

Patrick Carrigan and Adam Reynolds front the media after their brawl. Picture: Steve Pohlner

It only takes a few drinks and a moment of madness to drag rugby league back through the mud; which is why the Broncos’ week of woe may have been the best thing to happen to the NRL over the off-season given what lies in wait in coming weeks.

Vegas is calling and temptation comes with it. You only had to listen to Lieutenant Bell to know that danger lurks on every corner. It was the same warning that he had given to players and officials from the Super Bowl teams a few weeks earlier.

Like the NRL players who sat through Lieutenant Bell’s briefing, Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were reminded that one wrong decision could alter the course of not just their careers, but their lives. In rugby league’s case, it goes beyond the individual. One miscalculated step and what could be a seminal moment for the code could turn into one of its darkest days.

Vegas may turn into rugby league’s Armageddon. Let’s hope not because it has been a hell of a journey to get this far.

Vegas is within touching distance and the past few months haven’t been easy for players, clubs or head office. Costs have spiralled.

At one point, clubs were told they would be charged $10 corkage if they brought a bottle of water back to their hotel rooms. One club had plans to set up a base for corporates at a nearby venue only to be told they would be charged $25 for a beer.

Brisbane Broncos captain Adam Reynolds and star lock Pat Carrigan were involved in a scuffle after the club’s pre-season launch. Picture: X/Twitter

The fight was ‘a reminder that nothing good happens when you mix alcohol with some footballers looking to blow off some steam’.

There has been drama over training grounds and accommodation. Access to grass fields has been an ongoing issue given the concern over the potential for injury ion synthetic fields.

Clubs have gone to NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys seeking more finance to cover their expenses. Ticket sales appear to have slowed, although there is optimism that a crowd of at least 40,000 will fill Allegiant Stadium.

The fact is that the first jaunt to Vegas was always going to be the most difficult and at times, it looked as though the dream could become the game’s worst nightmare.

The sight of players queuing outside embassies to finalise their visas highlighted a potholed project that is now looming large on the horizon.

The big day is almost upon us. Players and officials will begin departing next week and we can only hope they have been paying attention as two of the most senior Broncos were involved in a scuffle that reminded us that trouble is never far away.

Rugby league was once again in the news for the wrong reasons The code was back on high alert.

South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias copped plenty of criticism in 2023. Picture: NRL Imagery

STRAIGHT ARROW SAYS CRITICS ARE WRONG TO TARGET ILIAS

Jai Arrow has wrapped his arms around Lachlan Ilias as South Sydney’s young halfback prepares to kick off the season under searing pressure and scrutiny.

Arrow insists the fingers that were pointed at Ilias at the end of last season should also be pointed at him – and not just him either. Everyone who played a part in the Rabbitohs’ late-season capitulation should put their hand up and accept some of the responsibility for the way the club fell apart in the second half of the year.

Ilias, as the halfback, seemed to be in the firing line for the way he played but in Arrow’s eyes, it was out of line.

“When the team is under pressure and you’re not playing good footy, someone always gets the blame and the majority goes on the No.7,” Arrow said.

“I thought it was a bit harsh what happened to Lachie last year, the blame that he got. He is someone who constantly turns up to training – day in, day out – to make himself better.

Jai Arrow has backed Ilias to respond this year. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We have the utmost faith in him. He will be our No.7. He came under a lot of scrutiny but at the end of the day it seems as though when the team is going no good, the No.7 cops the blame.

“As players I think we can take more ownership of that. As a team, at the back end of the year, we were just no good.”

Arrow insists that Ilias has returned to training in a determined frame of mind. He will certainly need to be at his best if the Rabbitohs are to challenge for a title this year – and that means getting his hands on the ball and taking more charge of a side that is attempting to put itself back in the finals picture.

Souths are littered with big names and big personalities and Ilias can ease the pressure on them by elevating his game to another level.

If he can take more ownership of the side, it would mean opponents could no longer load up on Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell.

Souths would be an even more challenging task.

“I think Lachie has got all the great traits (you want) in a person – he comes in every day and works his arse off,” Arrow said.

“I have no doubt that this year it will pay off. As someone who plays beside him I have to take more ownership and look at my performances from last year.”

ARLC MAKE MONSTER PROFIT

The ARL Commission is ready to announce another bumper profit of $58 million for the past year as the game continues its financial revival under chair Peter V’landys and chief executive Andrew Abdo.

This masthead can reveal that the commission will reveal their mega surplus at their annual general meeting next week.

They will also confirm previous reports that their revenue is just shy of $700 million, while net assets are now closing in on $300 million.

The impressive results continue the game’s resurgence under V’landys and Abdo, and shape as a significant fillip for the code as it prepares to tackle America with a historic season-opening double header in Las Vegas.

The cost for the American invasion is significant but the latest figures suggest the ARL Commission have the financial muscle to give America a red-hot rip.

While the surplus is slightly down on the previous year – it was $62.9 million in 2022 – it still represents a healthy return for the code at a time when the clubs are receiving more money than ever from head office.

Revenue has increased by nearly $100 million over the past year, nudging the $700 million barrier.

If the current trends continue, rugby league could be in position to burst through the billion-dollar barrier when they negotiate the next television deal from 2028.

Originally published as ‘We were just no good’: Jai Arrow rejects Lachlan Ilias criticism after disastrous end to South Sydney’s season