BY DAN

Hudson Young probably hasn’t felt this ignored since Jarome Luai steadfastly refused to pass him the ball in the first State of Origin.

He missed out on selection for Australia’s end of season test matches. It’s arguable as to whether he would have got there. Selection in Origin at a relatively stacked position was a good hint of the esteem he’s held in. Finding his way into a strong PM’s XIII to play Papua New Guinea a few weekends ago was another hint. But for whatever reason he wasn’t considered.

Some may argue form, and while he had a few errors in his game at the back-end of the year, and more missed tackles than he’d like (27 across the last six game), it was more as part of a side that was capitulating than anything that changed in his game. He was still elite, and has a statistically and performatively successful season in 2023 as he did in his ‘breakout’ 2022. Only this time he had dysfunction and change all around him, and the eyes of the opposition more focused on his than ever before. He still thrived, and proved himself one of the quality backrowers in the competition. Just entering his prime, one would have through he’d be an ideal choice for the Australian squad.

But he missed out. What’s weirder is that no real backrower was picked in his place. Liam Martin was there. But after it’s a matter of squinting and wondering if Cam Murray or maybe Ruben Cotter would be playing out of position. No Hudson Young. No David Fifita. No Tyson Frizell or Jeremiah Nanai. Just middles masquerading as edges because I dunno, Mal Meninga is more vibes than man (and man is that a lot of vibes). I haven’t checked injuries and eligibilities, but I think the key is to not take it personally I guess. It’s good company to be in.

I’m upset for Hudson but I hope he doesn’t lose much sleep over it. Whatever one thinks of his performance in the back-end of the season it’s not the causal factor here. He’s proven himself capable at every stop, good enough to be part of the side. It seems more likely a symptom of the chaos that existed around him this season. Canberra were so bad at the back end of the season that it’s hard to see much representation in rep footy beyond Madge, Taps and Raps (and good god if Madge still hasn’t worked out Timoko is ready too). They are dead unsexy right now. Just ask their odds for next year (bottom four! It feels like home).

So Hudson hasn’t fallen off a cliff. Canberra still have a representative quality backrower in their side, even if Big Mal has decided manufacturing one from elite talent if preferable to picking an already created one. Chalk it up to rep coaches having a penchant for doing weird things (remember when Chris Anderson refused to play Luke Lewis on the 2003 ‘Roos tests in England, instead picking an out-of-the-league and not-in-the-squad Darren Smith to play the final test? Just me? Rep coaches man. Strange units.).

Hudson is good and getting better. He’ll get his Kangaroo jersey soon enough.

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