NRL 2021: Hudson Young, Corey Harawira-Naera in line to race to replace John Bateman

The fight for John Bateman’s vacant back row spot at Canberra is down to a re-born journeyman and rising young gun.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 20: Hudson Young of the Raiders celebrates with his teammates after scoring a try during the round 19 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the New Zealand Warriors at GIO Stadium on September 20, 2020 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Canberra endured a horror injury toll in 2020 but this season they’ll reap the benefits and boast perhaps the best forward depth of any club in the NRL.

With only Josh Papalii, Joseph Tapine, Elliott Whitehead and Josh Hodgson assured of a place in the starting side, the Raiders face the real prospect of excluding several players who could start at other clubs.

Even allowing for John Bateman’s departure, the Raiders will still have one of the NRL’s best packs regardless of who replaces the Englishman with Hudson Young and Corey Harawira-Naera set to duke it out to start on the right edge.

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Hudson Young would add a rugged element to the Raiders’ right edge. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Young was one of the NRL’s most improved players last year — after missing the start of the season due to suspension he thrived with the extra responsibility as his yardage and footwork made him extremely difficult to handle.

Harawira-Naera arrived mid-season from Canterbury and his gamebreaking abilities on the edge are well-known – when the Kiwi international is in form there are few more destructive second rowers in the competition.

“Corey’s played there for a little while and Hudson is such a great talent,” said veteran prop Sia Soliola.

“Corey has the experience out there, he’s still finding his feet with us and our processes and how we work the systems where Hudson has had a few years with us now.

“Both are great players with a lot of energy – everyone enjoys the toughness they bring, especially with Huddo, be brings a ruggedness to the squad.

“But we really enjoy Corey as well because he really lifts the tempo, I think where that’s a lot of his strength is. He’s quite quick and pretty nimble for such a big guy.”

Corey Harawira-Naera is an agile edge forward. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Harawira-Naera and Young spent most of their time in the middle last season.

Young’s form to finish the season at prop was superb while Harawira-Naera’s impact off the bench became a valuable weapon.

Soliola will fight it out for minutes in the middle of the field – the 34-year old re-signed has to contend with Papalii, Tapine, Queensland Origin prop Dunamis Lui, English toughman Ryan Sutton, young guns Corey Horsburgh and Emre Guler, the underrated Siliva Havili and new recruit Ryan James.

Dynamic hooker Tom Starling will also be in the frame for a bench spot, making a place in the top 17 even harder to come by.

“Nobody is guaranteed their spot,” Soliola said.

“It just adds a whole heap of depth around the joint, it’s really healthy.

“The mentality is Rick is challenging everyone, which is great, but the other problem for Rick is he’s got to select the squad – but that’s a good problem to have.”

Raiders forward Ryan James training out of a Gold Coast gym ahead of his move to Canberra. Picture: Rik Conti

While most of the Raiders big men are known quantities there’s a question mark over James given he’s played just six matches in the last two years due to knee injuries.

But at his best the former Gold Coast skipper was on the fringe of Origin selection and if he can regain that form he promises to form a frightening combination with the likes of Papalii and Tapine.

For his part, Soliola is backing James to succeed.

“He’s got a lot of experience, he’s quite the leader, very mature and fits the mould of what the club is really about,” Soliola said.

“He’s a previous Ken Stephens medallist, which fits really well with the community-based club that we are.

“I think everyone will really enjoy having Ryan around the club, especially with his experience around the club. He’s very mature.”

PREDICTED RAIDERS PACK FOR ROUND 1

8. Josh Papalii

9. Josh Hodgson

10. Dunamis Lui

11. Elliott Whitehead

12. Hudson Young

13. Joseph Tapine

14. Tom Starling

15. Corey Harawira-Naera

16. Corey Horsburgh

17. Sia Soliola

Others: Emre Guler, Ryan James, Saliva Havili, Ryan Sutton, Kai O’Donnell