Former NSW coach Ricky Stuart has blasted the Blues over their treatment of axed Raiders backrower Hudson Young.
Young was dropped by NSW selectors following a loss for the second series in a row and Canberra Stuart believes his player has been “treated disgracefully”.
The Blues must win in Melbourne on Wednesday to send the series to a decider and Young was one of three players dropped for Game 2.
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NSW have long been criticised for failing to adopt Queensland’s famous ‘pick and stick’ policy and Stuart has gone into bat hard for Young.
“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 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.
“He’s handled it a lot better than I would, I can assure you that.
“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).”
Sharks duo Nicho Hynes and Camerorn McInnes were also axed, while James Tedesco and Joseph Suaalii rounded out the five changes.
But what makes Stuart’s not-so-subtle sledge of rookie NSW coach Michael Maguire more interesting by the fact the latter worked as an assistant in Canberra last year.
Stuart and Maguire worked closely together in the capital and have a strong relationship, but it didn’t stop the veteran Raiders coach having a public crack.
Young had one of the worst games of his career against the Raiders’ 34-16 loss to the Cowboys last weekend, which would have cemented his Blues fate.
But Stuart believes that performance was simply a case of trying too hard and tipped Young to bounce back against the resurgent Wests Tigers on Sunday.
“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.”
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