Twenty-four hours after confirming the signing of Brian To’o, the PNG Chiefs have already set their sights on poaching another NRL star.
The expansion club have made a major statement over the past couple of months, securing the signatures of To’o, Jarome Luai, Alex Johnston, Connor Watson, Matty Lees and Zac Lomax.
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But their recruitment drive appears to be far from over as they look to assemble one of the greatest squads the NRL has ever seen to compete for a premiership immediately upon entering in 2028.
Already linked with Joseph Manu (who is set to confirm his future over the next few days), CODE Sports reporter David Riccio has revealed that the Chiefs have now identified NSW Blues back-rower Hudson Young as a potential target.
Although recent reports indicated that he had been tabled a multi-million-dollar extension from the Raiders, it is understood that there are fears that he could leave the nation’s capital.
This has prompted Raiders officials to ramp up their efforts to retain the star forward, with the club set to meet with Young and his management in the coming weeks.
“The Raiders will attempt to meet with Hudson and his management in the coming weeks, knowing that November 1 is looming,” Riccio said on NRL 360.
“I’ve got a firm belief that he will test the open market and I think he’s earned the right to.
“He’s had a fantastic season with rep footy and he’s been an absolute trojan for the Raiders.
“The PNG can’t speak to him before November 1 so that’s why they are trying to sort this now.
“He’s a hot ticket item. He would walk into a lot of clubs.
“The Raiders are in a very difficult recruitment space, but they need to try to lock him down before November 1. They’ve got to do everything they can, hence the meeting.”
Although he remains contracted with the Raiders until the end of the 2027 season, Young will be able to speak with rivals from November 1.
This has left Canberra with a limited window to convince their star forward to remain in the nation’s capital, with Braith Anasta warning the club that they can’t lose him.
