Dumped Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias makes epic statement in reserve grade

Dumped Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias sent a big statement in reserve grade as his team got thrashed by the Roosters in the NRL.

Dumped halfback Lachlan Ilias has sent an emphatic message to South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou that he’s far too good for reserve grade with a dominant first half just days after he was axed from the NRL side.

Ilias paid the price for their winless start to the season, with the playmaker setting up just one try in South Sydney’s back-to-back losses where their attack looked lifeless compared to what we saw in the first few months of the 2023 season.

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But the man who was once hailed as Adam Reynolds’ long-term replacement showed he’s willing to fight for his starting spot, with Ilias putting on a show in South Sydney’s 28-12 NSW Cup win over the Roosters.

His evening started poorly with a dropped ball in the attacking third, but he quickly bounced back to set up Izaac Thompson for the opening try with a nice cut out pass.

He then came up with a terrific try-saver, forced a line dropout and then combined with Jye Gray who put Richie Kennar over before Ilias nailed the sideline conversion.

Lachlan Ilias won’t be playing NSW Cup for long. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

The Rabbitohs looked rudderless against the Roosters. Photo: NRL PHOTOS

Having struggled for any creativity in the early rounds, Ilias stripped it back and simplified his game with early ball to his outside men, which allowed the speedy Gray to carve up on the edges with a scything solo try.

Demetriou didn’t give anything away when asked on Thursday why Ilias was dropped, but he would have been pleased with the response with the halfback putting pressure to win his spot off Dean Hawkins for the Good Friday game.

Hawkins struggled in South Sydney’s 48-6 loss to Roosters, but Andrew Johns said the halfback position was the “least of their problems”.

“That’s the least of their problems – it wouldn’t matter who you had in the halves tonight,” the legendary halfback said on Nine.

“There’s no easy way out. To win a game in the NRL, you’ve got to build a game early.

“Another big thing is discipline. First play of the game, Lindsay Collins charges off the kick-off and South Sydney rake at the ball. That gives you an insight into their mindset.”

Dean Hawkins struggled against the Roosters. Picture: NRL Photos

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou said post-game: “It’s disappointing, it hurts, it’s probably the lowest point of my career right now but I know how we get out of it. We’ll fight and fight together.

“I’ve got a lot of trust in this group, they’re a great group, they care about each other and that’s probably our biggest problem at the moment, we don’t want to be in this position but we have to accept our reality and fight our way out of it. I know this group and I know they’ll get out of it.

“I told the players there is only one way out and that’s staying together and fighting and getting back on the horse.

“It’s a matter of just getting that first win. We’ve got to be more resilient to get that two points, nobody is going to give it to us.

“I’m extremely confident (I can turn it around), that’s my job, it’s on me to make sure we’re fighting hard and ready to play on Good Friday.”

Originally published as Dumped Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias makes epic statement in reserve grade