Andrew Johns has named a "bolter" to be called into the New South Wales side if Liam Martin misses the State of Origin opener.
Martin is sitting in Penrith's casualty ward with a hamstring issue, as Blues coach Brad Fittler and his selectors begin to draw up a list of potential players.
Martin has played every game since making his Blues debut in game one of the 2021 series, but the injury threatens to end that streak.
And if he is unavailable for the May 31 opener at Adelaide Oval, Johns believes he has founds the ideal replacement.
Raiders backrower Hudson Young has scored three tries in seven games for Canberra this season, including a 72nd-minute match-winner against the Dragons last week.
"I think he's been playing really well," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth.
"He's a left-side player, he could play backrow, at a pinch he could play in the middle. I think he could even play centre... or even five-eighth, if something was to happen.
"I think he is made for Origin. He's got plenty of mongrel.
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"He's one of those blokes who can score a try too, if a try needs to be scores. He beat Newcastle last year with a grubber for himself."
Young, 24, has played 80 NRL games since making his debut in the lime green in 2019.
Blues coach Brad Fittler didn't confirm or deny Young was on his radar, but did marvel at the solo effort to win the game for the Raiders in round seven.
"He's a good player," Fittler said.
"That was a great try on the weekend, he picked up a loose ball and ran 90."
Players have fives weeks remaining to stake their claim for Origin selection.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Andrew Johns has named a "bolter" to be called into the New South Wales side if Liam Martin misses the State of Origin opener.
Martin is sitting in Penrith's casualty ward with a hamstring issue, as Blues coach Brad Fittler and his selectors begin to draw up a list of potential players.
Martin has played every game since making his Blues debut in game one of the 2021 series, but the injury threatens to end that streak.
And if he is unavailable for the May 31 opener at Adelaide Oval, Johns believes he has founds the ideal replacement.
Raiders backrower Hudson Young has scored three tries in seven games for Canberra this season, including a 72nd-minute match-winner against the Dragons last week.
"I think he's been playing really well," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth.
"He's a left-side player, he could play backrow, at a pinch he could play in the middle. I think he could even play centre... or even five-eighth, if something was to happen.
"I think he is made for Origin. He's got plenty of mongrel.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
"He's one of those blokes who can score a try too, if a try needs to be scores. He beat Newcastle last year with a grubber for himself."
Young, 24, has played 80 NRL games since making his debut in the lime green in 2019.
Blues coach Brad Fittler didn't confirm or deny Young was on his radar, but did marvel at the solo effort to win the game for the Raiders in round seven.
"He's a good player," Fittler said.
"That was a great try on the weekend, he picked up a loose ball and ran 90."
Players have fives weeks remaining to stake their claim for Origin selection.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
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