After two frustrating losses to open the 2024 NRL season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have wielded the axe and dumped halfback Lachlan Ilias to reserve grade ahead of their Friday night blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters.
Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has decided to play young playmaker Dean Hawkins in Ilias’ place after two underwhelming performances against Manly in Vegas and the Broncos in Round 2.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio couldn’t understand the decision made by Demetriou ahead of a match against their fiercest rivals and feels like Ilias has taken the fall for wider issues at the club.
“It comes as a real surprise to me,” Riccio told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Jason Demetriou has been so vocal about his support for Ilias at halfback.
“Their error-riddled performance against the Broncos was like a disease. There were mistakes across the park and it was not solely on the halfback.
“It’s a big call and it’s a tough call on Lachlan. They are not backing their halfback.
“It needs to be recognised that we also haven’t seen a full strength South Sydney side.
“Lachlan Ilias will look a better player with Campbell Graham, Jai Arrow and Jack Wighton in the team, who was a huge signing and plays his first game this week.
“That’s a reason why this team could be struggling.
“I spent time with the club in San Diego (ahead of the Vegas opener) and I was impressed with his communication and leadership of the team.
“In that scenario, he really found himself as a halfback. I saw a determined player who was willing to take this team by the scruff of the neck.
“It looks like it’s hit a roadblock after two games.”
Ilias’ replacement, Hawkins, has played six first grade games since his debut in 2021 but is coming off an extraordinary 2023 which included a NSW Cup premiership, National Championship and the NSWRL player of the year award.
SEN’s Greg Alexander had no doubt that Ilias would find himself back into the senior side at some stage this season.
“I thought Souths were in for a great year,” Alexander said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He has had some good games and there is a (good) player in him but he just has to be more consistent.
“I think he’s in a difficult situation where he is surrounded by players that are very dominant, he can get lost and fade in and out of games. There are some pretty big personalities there.
“He needs to go back and look at what he is good at and what got him there in the first place.”
South Sydney’s NSW Cup side will play the Roosters in the curtain raiser ahead of the first grade fixture on Friday night.