South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has praised Lachlan Ilias for his efficiency in Friday’s win over the Wests Tigers and has responded to a narrative that prompt the halfback can be dropped after final week’s quiet show.
The younger playmaker outshone halves accomplice Cody Walker, who got here up with a number of errors, with Ilias additionally producing a number of large defensive performs together with a gut-busting effort to pounce on a unfastened ball when the Tigers regarded sure to attain.
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“I thought ‘Lachy’ was outstanding tonight,” Demetriou mentioned.
“I thought he showed why he’s our seven, and I’m excited about where he can go.”
Filthy Murray dummy leaves Wests in mud | 00:45
Ilias arrange two tries within the 32-18 win in Tamworth, with the primary coming off a grubber for Keaon Koloamatangi only a week after he didn’t kick the ball as soon as within the large loss in opposition to Brisbane.
It led to some pretty robust criticism with some sections of the media predicting he would have been dropped for Friday’s sport had Latrell Mitchell not been cleared to return from a calf damage.
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When requested on NRL 360 if Ilias was beneath strain, The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio mentioned: “As I understand, yes.”
“He didn’t play to his standards last weekend against the Broncos. He didn’t kick the footy, I can’t recall a halfback not kicking the footy in a match,” he added.
“I think the fact they’re playing the Wests Tigers keeps Lachie in the team and also the return of Latrell, just with that confidence boost to take Lachie’s game back to where it should be.
“Latrell is a clear influence and it’s his ability to take pressure off those halves who last week didn’t fire.”
Wests Tigers Press Conference | 05:04
Ilias completed the night time with seven kicks for 271 metres and didn’t miss a sort out in defence as he put in strong 80 minutes that needs to be the benchmark every week for him to enhance a staff stuffed with stars.
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“You want to point to not kicking a ball, but he’s a young half who is getting used to playing without guys that he’s used to having around him,” Demetriou mentioned.
“I thought the story around him not playing if Latrell wasn’t fit was ridiculous. I think it’s unfounded and untrue, and I don’t think it’s fair on him.
“I’m all for talking about the kicking stats and talking about the things that are actually happening, but to make a story up is pretty disappointing from the media side of things.
“If you want to know if he’s going to play then just ring me and I’ll tell you. If you don’t hear it from me then don’t make it up because it’s not accurate and it’s not fair on the kid.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au