Lachlan Ilias has impressed in his first NSW Cup game for Souths. -AAP Image
Beleaguered halfback Lachlan Ilias has impressed in his first game since being dropped from South Sydney's NRL side.
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Ilias appeared unfazed by the week of scrutiny on himself and the Rabbitohs as a whole as he helped the club's NSW Cup side to a 28-12 defeat of the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.
Criticised for failing to spark the first-grade side's attack, Ilias set up the Rabbitohs' first try inside seven minutes with a cut-out pass to Izaac Thompson on the right edge.
Ilias came up with two try-saving tackles in the opening half, first taking out Salesi Foketi's legs as the Roosters lock charged through the middle at close range.
In the shadows of halftime, Ilias made a try-saving one-on-one tackle on Alex Young, brother of Roosters NRL star Dom, to ensure Souths would take a 16-0 lead into the sheds.
He nailed a sideline conversion after Richie Kennar scored Souths' second and forced a dropout up the other end of the field after his first try-saving tackle.
It was a less polished second half all round for the Rabbitohs, with the Roosters nabbing two late tries to put some respectability on the scoreboard.
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