South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias was helped off the field with a serious injury following an incident in the dying moments of his side's NSW Cup win over the Warriors.
The Rabbitohs took out the game 26-20 at Accor Stadium, but the injury to Ilias and ensuing melee overshadowed the finish.
With South Sydney in front, Ilias kicked for distance, while, in an effort to force a charge down, Freddy Lussick pressured the kicker.
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The Warriors hooker collected Ilias' right leg on the way through and the Souths playmaker immediately went down in agony.
Lachlan Ilias off late in NSW Cup with a traumatic leg injury. By video main concern for tibia (shin) fracture - can see direct shin contact to defenders knee + deformity (bend) in lower leg.
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 6, 2024
If confirmed would multiple months recovery, hope it’s somehow not as bad as it looks. pic.twitter.com/uhJHsYhWGS
Souths later reported Ilias had suffered a suspected fractured tibia.
Rabbitohs players went straight to Lussick to remonstrate, before several spot fires ignited as tempers flared among both teams.
Ilias was eventually helped from the ground but couldn't put any weight on his right leg.
Despite time having expired, Lussick was sent off and Moala Graham-Taufa was sinbinned for his role in the aftermath.
Ilias played in South Sydney's first-grade team for the opening two rounds before being dropped to NSW Cup, with Dean Hawkins taking his place.
How long is Lachlian Ilias out for?
Stay tuned for updates as the Rabbitohs confirm how long the number seven is expected to be sidelined.
Typical recovery time for a fractured tibia is around 4-6 months, putting the rest of Ilias' 2024 season in jeopardy.
More to come.
