State of Origin legend Andrew Johns has heaped praise on axed Blues second-rower Hudson Young for an “Origin play” during the Raiders win over the Dragons.
Canberra held on for a 36-26 victory after a significant second half fade-out, but it was the play of Young that sealed the result.
With the Raiders holding a four-point lead, Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle broke through the line before Young ran him down and dislodged the ball with a strong tackle.
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Canberra then went down the other end of the field, with Sebastian Kris scoring to secure victory late in the game.
“That’s an Origin play, he got there just in case, sprinted to the threat, that’s his experience in playing Origin, Hudson Young,” Johns said on Nine’s coverage.
”After that error, this is a big moment in this game.”
Following Kris’ try, rugby league legend Phil Gould backed up Johns’ comments.
“That was a massive turnaround, Andrew Johns was a 100 per cent right, the effort by Hudson Young to make the tackle and then force the turnover, and all of a sudden the Raiders come to life,” he said.
NSW Blues legend Paul Gallen was also in awe of the second-rower’s efforts at full-time.
“The good thing about it, he sprinted to him, sprinted to the threat, got to the threat, but wasn’t just happy to tackle him, [he] ragdolled him, threw him to the ground and forced the error, that’s a quality play,” he said.
NRL Highlights: Dragons v Raiders – Round 19
Canberra was off to the perfect start with Jordan Rapana going over for an easy try within the first ten minutes.
The outside back simply found a hole and went through the Dragons goal-line defence.
“This was beyond soft,” Johns said on Nine’s coverage.
The Raiders celebrated with a Jonny Bairstow mock stumping for Try July.
Prop Joseph Tapine was next, along with Matthew Timoko moments later to make it three unanswered tries inside the first 25 minutes.
Rapana does it easy
The Dragons joined the party moments later with Mikaele Ravalawa adding another four-pointer to his season tally.
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Right on half-time Matt Frawley combined brilliantly with halves partner Jamal Fogarty to make it 24-6.
An innocuous kick right after the break from Moses Mbye led to Zac Lomax’s fourth try of the season after an error from Jarrod Croker.
Timoko had his second in the 50th minute, in controversial circumstances after the Bunker took over two minutes to confirm the try. Ravalawa also had a double 10 minutes later after a wonderful set play from the Dragons.
Lomax then had his second too, making it 30-22 the Raiders way with 18 minutes remaining.
Ravalawa sealed his hat-trick moments later to put a scare in the Raiders camp but the play of Young set up Kris, who finished off the match.
Ricky frustrated at Raiders performance
Post-game, coach Ricky Stuart was livid with his side’s fade-out.
“I felt sorry for our fans, we should have put them away. To say I’m disappointed in that second half is an understatement to be honest,” he told Nine’s coverage.
“I’m getting sick of it, it just frustrates me how we’re letting other teams back in the game.”
The Dragons also limp away with injury concerns after Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jayden Sullivan and Paul Turner left the field with injuries. Trey Mooney was put on report for the latter’s incident.
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