Dropped South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias is facing an increasingly long road back to the NRL after sustaining an ugly lower-leg injury in reserve grade.
Ilias was forced to hobble off the field in the dying stages of the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup clash with the Warriors after being tackled by Freddy Lussick.
The Warriors hooker attacked Ilias’s right leg at Accor Stadium on Saturday as the Rabbitohs playmaker tried to kick the ball away, letting out an audible scream of agony.
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The tackle — which led to Lussick being sent off — sparked an all-in brawl.
Earlier in the match, Ilias had scored a try in an impressive display as Souths won 26-20.
But he was forced to limp off the field with help from the club’s medical staff and was later seen on crutches walking up the tunnel alongside NRL head coach Jason Demetriou.
Souths have yet to confirm the extent of the injury, but are fearing a broken leg.
His likely absence adds to a growing list of unavailable players that already includes Jai Arrow, Alex Johnston and Campbell Graham.
– AAP