Former South Sydney captain Adam Reynolds offered a touching message to the young halfback who’s adopted his cardinal and myrtle No.7 jumper – be yourself.
Lachlan Ilias, 21, has stepped into Reynolds’ boots at Redfern and is doing his best to replace the Rabbitohs legend who steered the club to the 2014 NRL premiership.
The Bunnies have looked a different team to the one that Reynolds led to last year’s grand final, and Ilias and his halves partner Cody Walker have copped much of the blame.
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“Lachy is his own man, he’s not Adam Reynolds, he is Lachlan Ilias,” Reynolds said.
“It’s been good to watch him. He’s a kid with a big future, he’s slotted in there nicely.
“I know there was a bit of heat on him early on – that’s his jersey now. He’s his own man, he is making it his own.”
Reynolds will play against his beloved Bunnies for the first time ever when he runs onto Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Thursday.
His planned round one rendezvous with the Rabbitohs went up in smoke when he was ruled out of the season opener.
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Reynolds wanted to finish his NRL career as a one-club player, but when South Sydney refused to offer him anything more than a one-year extension he had to take himself to market, and the Broncos pounced.
The champion halfback claims he harbors no ill-feeling towards anyone at his former club despite last year’s failed contract negotiations.
“It’s another game – I’m a Broncos player,” he said.
“Coming up against an old team doesn’t really matter.
“I’ve got a lot of wonderful memories from the place, a lot of mates still there obviously. It is what it is, you’re going to have to come up against your old team one time.”
Of course Reynolds couldn’t pass up the opportunity to poke some fun at his former colleagues.
He was asked which Rabbitohs player he expects the most sledging from, to which he replied Jai Arrow.
He was then asked specifically about Bunnies hooker Damien Cook.
“Who’s that? He’s a beach sprinter isn’t he,” Reynolds grinned.
“There will be a few little words, a bit of banter which is always fun. I’m looking forward to what Jai Arrow has to say… hopefully he’s been practicing his field goals.”
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