Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has belted the NSW Blues over their treatment of hard-working back-rower Hudson Young.
The Raiders stalwart was left out of Michael Maguire’s squad for State of Origin game two after playing just 22 minutes of NSW’s 38-10 pummelling by the Maroons.
He didn’t light the world afire in his cameo, but there was little more the 26-year-old could have done in an undermanned and exhausted outfit.
For Stuart, it’s not the first time Young has been given the short end of the stick by Blues selectors.
“I personally think the way he’s been treated in Origin over the last two series has been disgraceful,” Stuart said.
“They’re looking for a loyalty and passion for the jumper, but you got to give a little bit too. The amount of game time he’s played in both series and then finds himself out – it’s either a wrong selection or they haven’t done the right thing by the kid.”
A true professional, the ever calm and composed Young had taken the snubbing well, said Stuart.
“He’s handled it a lot better than I would, I can assure you that,” he said.
“I was disappointed for Hudson. He won’t say that but you got to show a little bit of loyalty and passion if you want to get it (in return).”
Young underwhelmed in the Raiders’ 34-16 loss to North Queensland last weekend, but the Blues’ loss will be Canberra’s gain with Stuart expecting him to be back to his trademark competitive best against the resurgent Wests Tigers.
“That (passion) is never to be questioned,” Stuart said.
“You see his commitment and the standards, his drive each week. His competitiveness sometimes gets him a bad name for how hard he fights for every little scrap that he’s in. But I love having him here and we’re the fortunate ones to have him this weekend.”
The Raiders have a chance to jump back into the top eight with a victory at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday, but they aren’t expecting a walk-over against the Tigers.
Benji Marshall’s side welcome back one of the NRL’s hottest young playmakers in Lachlan Galvin to the starting 13, allowing Api Koroisau to return to his preferred hooker position following his starring role in their stirring 18-10 win over Gold Coast.
Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead knows his side can’t play the way they did against the Cowboys if they are to come away with the two points.
“I thought our discipline let us down over the weekend and we’re going to have to fix that up against the Tigers,” he said.
“But I thought for the majority of the game our defence was pretty good and we’ll have to do that again against the Tigers.
“They throw the ball around a lot and have that Benji kind of play. We’ll have to be at our best.”
