NRL legend Braith Anasta has revealed why he is expecting Rabbitohs’ star rookie halfback Lachlan Ilias to continue to develop his game after a notable first season.
Ilias, who struggled to start his official rookie season has turned it around for the Rabbitohs in the backend of the season as he begins to build on a formidable combination with Cody Walker.
Anasta, who is the halfback's manager, credited Ilias’ resilience from being dropped earlier in the year and his ability to cope with the Adam Reynolds comparisons.
“I’ve been proud of him, that’s just the kind of person he is, he’s really a lowkey (person) and he’s done a solid job this year, he’s had a lot of pressure on him with the Reynolds stuff,” Anasta said on SEN 1170 All Talk with Hello Sport
“Souths got heavily criticised over it (letting Reynolds go), not saying it’s the worst decision they’ve ever made and Reynolds has had a great year in Brissy (Brisbane), if he was in the team who knows because he is a great player.”
“But Souths had to make a call there, he wanted 800 (thousand) over three years and he missed four or five games this year through injury.
“All of that put a lot of pressure on Lachie, but he is quite a humble kid who works hard and the players love him, it was his first year as a seven at a prestigious club who just lost someone who I think is the best seven to ever play for the club.
Braith Anasta on being Cameron Munster's player manager.
— SEN Sydney 1170 (@1170sen) September 9, 2022
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“He’s been good without being great, he got rookie of the year for Souths, he’s got a lot of improvement in him and he’s got big personalities around him, he’s trying to manage that with Cody (Walker) and Latrell (Mitchell), I think he’s had a good year and I’m looking forward to the next few years for him."
Ilias is set to make his finals debut when the Rabbitohs face the Roosters in an Elimination final on Sunday afternoon.
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