Captain’s message for Raiders star weighing up ‘life-changing money’
Canberra captain Joseph Tapine admits the Raiders face a “huge challenge” to retain Hudson Young after the club pulled its offer for the second-rower.
Young has been part of a tug-of-war between the Raiders and PNG and earlier this week Canberra announced its $4.4 million four-year deal is no longer on the table.
Joseph Tapine, Hudson Young and Matt Timoko. NRL Imagery
The Raiders said in the statement that the club needed an answer before the end of October so they could plan for the future.
Young’s market value has been a major talking point after PNG was not allowed to offer a deal of $900,000-a-season. The smaller offer was set to be on the table because of tax-free incentives with the incoming 20th team.
Tapine told 2GB’s Sports Today he was hopeful Young could stay despite the offer being pulled.
“Obviously, Hudson’s been a big part of our club. It’s a huge challenge with the new team in PNG and all the tax-free stuff, it’s a big challenge for any club at the moment but Hudson’s been in our plans moving forward for while,” he said.
“It’s his decision at the end of the day, and we’ve got to respect what he does, but hopefully he stays.”
Tapine confirmed he’s been staying in contact with the star back-rower as negotiations continued.
“I’ve been talking to him over the past couple of months of the process and seeing where he’s at,” he said.
“But in the meantime (I have) given him space as well, it’s a huge decision.
“The offers are life-changing money and at the end of the day, you’ve got to look after yourself and your family first so I respect that part.
“I’ve been talking to him and urging him to stay at the club because he’s one hell of a player.”
Young missed the end of the 2026 season, as well as Australia’s World Cup campaign, after suffering an Achilles injury.
