Ilias steps up for Rabbitohs in NRL trial

Lachlan Ilias will set about making the No.7 jersey his own as South Sydney's post-Adam Reynolds era begins with an NRL trial against North Queensland on Saturday night.

A handful of clubs have named squads ahead of the first batch of official pre-season games this weekend, beginning with Friday night's Sydney Roosters-Canberra and Wests Tigers-Manly double-header at Leichhardt Oval.

In his first match since taking over from Wayne Bennett, Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has selected nine players with NRL experience to face the Cowboys at Barlow Park in Cairns.

The squad includes Ilias, grand final fullback Blake Taaffe, winger Jaxson Paulo, former Raider Siliva Havili and Shaq Mitchell, who will push for an NRL contract after representing the Indigenous All Stars.

Ilias has only played one first-grade game but is expected to get the first shot at replacing new Brisbane general Reynolds.

Taaffe impressed when deputising at fullback for the suspended Latrell Mitchell last year and is likely to reprise that role for the first two rounds as the NSW Origin star completes his ban.

North Queensland left out captain Jason Taumalolo from their squad, prioritising emerging talent and recruits such as versatile journeyman Brendan Elliot and former Fiji rugby sevens player Iosefo Baleiwairiki.

Elsewhere, Canterbury will roll out big-name additions Tevita Pangai Jr, Matt Dufty and Paul Vaughan in their clash with Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Monday.

Fellow Bulldogs signings Josh Addo-Carr and Brent Naden will sit out after representing the Indigenous All Stars while five-eighth Matt Burton is being rested as a precaution following a COVID-19 infection.

No other clubs released trial squads on Tuesday afternoon.

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