Ilias' tribute to 'papou' as Greece No. 7 jersey awaits

At a time when wins and losses are paramount and increased only further for those in finals contention, South Sydney's rookie playmaker Lachlan Ilias has been handed a newfound perspective.

While his full attention no doubt lies with the Rabbitohs' finals ambitions, the young halfback is also on the verge of having his first taste of international football in November when he plays halfback for Greece at the Rugby League World Cup.

And when the young playmaker pulls on the blue and white jersey for the first time, it will be a fitting tribute to his late grandfather who recently passed away.

“Playing for Greece will be one of my greatest football moments yet I think,” Ilias told NRL.com.

“I’m really looking forward to it, especially because my grandfather passed away a few weeks ago and he was born in Greece.”

“He left his family behind in Evia, an island off Greece, at a very young age to come to Australia. He came to the unknown and I’m sure that would have been really tough.

“He’s the reason why we’re here in Australia so I’m really looking forward to representing him and my family."

While the Rabbitohs' Greek heritage is strong, including coach Jason Demetriou and close friend Peter Mamouzelos, the 22-year-old is one of just three current Greek players.

“It’s a bit unique being Greek in the NRL, there’s not many of us. I know there’s a couple of us at the club but there’s not many outside of that,” Ilias said.

“I went to Greece when I was about seven but I’d love to go again. I’d love to go in the summer but I’m playing footy so I can’t really go at the moment.

“It’s an honour being Greek and I’m really looking forward to representing Greece and my 'papou' (grandfather) in the World Cup.”

After a tough outing against the Dragons in Round 15 that saw Ilias taken from the field midway through the first half, the young playmaker has bounced back strong — leading his teammates around the park to win four of five since that night.

Chalking up 13 forced dropouts and ten try assists so far in 2022, Ilias said he is ready to handle the heat in the final month of the season. 

“I think I did feel too comfortable earlier on in the year and that was taken from me. But something we talk about is not looking too comfortable and using each week as a challenge," Ilias said.

“The game against the Dragons is probably something that didn’t need to happen but it’s good that it did, it sort of woke me up and now I’m hungrier now than I ever was before.

“I’m still pinching myself, I get to put the seven on each week and come to training with these fellas and just try and get better everyday.”

The Rabbitohs face one of the toughest runs home to the finals - with their four remaining games against top-eight teams - beginning with an opportunity to jump past Parramatta into fifth place if they walk away with a victory on Friday night.