The South Sydney Rabbitohs are excited to announce the extension of contracts of two of the Club’s brightest young stars, Jaxson Paulo and Lachlan Ilias, including upgrades to NRL contracts over the next two seasons.
Outside back Jaxson Paulo (2021-22) and half Lachlan Ilias have re-signed with the Rabbitohs, joining fellow young guns Blake Taaffe (2021-22) and Peter Mamouzelos (2021) in extending their tenures with South Sydney this year.
Paulo, 20, is a rangy, athletic outside back who in 2017 represented the New Zealand under 18s before joining the Rabbitohs from the Gold Coast Titans. Paulo played an integral part in the success of both the Rabbitohs’ Canterbury Cup and Jersey Flegg teams in 2019.
Ilias, 20, is a crafty halfback or five-eighth who converted to Rugby League from rugby union where he represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2018, and was also a key player in the Club’s under 20s premiership win in 2019.
Taaffe, 21, is a talented halfback or five-eighth who won the man-of-the-match medal in last year’s Jersey Flegg under 20s Grand Final victory, followed by the Club’s Jersey Flegg Player of the Year award.
Mamouzelos,19, is a hooker who has already represented Greece in seven matches including the recent World Cup Qualifiers.
Rabbitohs Head of Football, Mark Ellison, said these players will have the opportunity to push for first grade selection in the coming seasons.
“Jaxson, Blake, Lachlan and Peter have the skills and the attitude to make it to the NRL level, hence why we are upgrading and extending their contracts now as we see them as future first grade Rabbitohs,” Mr Ellison said.
“Their challenge is to put in the hard work and to make the sacrifices required to be a success at the top level and we know they have it in them to achieve those goals.
“We’re excited to be able to continue to work with these young men and we’re certain our Members will enjoy watching them develop and ply their trade in the red and green for years to come.”
Mark EllisonJaxson, Blake, Lachlan and Peter have the skills and the attitude to make it to the NRL level.
South Sydney has also agreed to a request for a contract release from Bryson Goodwin to enable him to join another NRL team.
Goodwin played 99 first grade games for South Sydney between 2013 and 2017, having returned to the Club this year on a one-season deal following a two-year stint with the Warrington Wolves.
The Rabbitohs wish Bryson and his family all the best for the future.
Biographies:
| Name: | Jaxson Paulo |
| Date of Birth: | 3 October 1999 |
| Place of Birth: | North Shore, NZ |
| Position: | Centre, Wing |
| Height: | 192cm |
| Weight: | 101kg |
| Junior Club: | Nerang Roosters |
| Rep Honours | New Zealand under 18s (2017) |
| Name: | Blake Taaffe |
| Date of Birth: | 21 April 1999 |
| Place of Birth: | Sydney, NSW |
| Position: | Halfback, Five-Eighth |
| Height: | 179cm |
| Weight: | 85kg |
| Junior Club: | La Perouse Panthers, The Entrance Tigers |
| Rep Honours: | NSW under 20s (2019) |
| Name: | Peter Mamouzelos |
| Date of Birth: | 9 January 2001 |
| Place of Birth: | Sydney, NSW |
| Position: | Hooker |
| Height: | 178cm |
| Weight: | 82kg |
| Junior Club: | Maroubra Lions |
| Rep Honours: | Seven matches for Greece (2018-19); NSW Future Blues squad |
| Name: | Lachlan Ilias |
| Date of Birth: | 9 May 2000 |
| Place of Birth | Sydney, NSW |
| Position: | Halfback, Five-Eighth |
| Height: | 184cm |
| Weight: | 84kg |
| Junior Club: | Leichhardt Wanderers |
| Rep Honours | Rugby Union: Australian Schoolboys (2018); Australian Youth Sevens (2018); NSW Schoolboys (2017-18); NSW Youth Sevens (2017); CAS 1st XV (2017-2018); Trinity Grammar 1st XV (2016-2018). Rugby League: NSW under 16s (2016) |
