Young and the restless: Hudson's nervous wait for coach's call

When day turned to night on Monday and Raiders forward Hudson Young hadn't received a call from NSW coach Brad Fittler, he started to let his mind wander.

Would Freddy hand him a second chance, a shot at redemption in the cauldron at Suncorp Stadium, or would his Origin career stall after one match?

By 7.30pm the call had come through, Fittler giving Young the news he wanted - he'd have the opportunity to pull on the Blues jersey again in Game Two with the series on the line.

"I was getting a little bit worried. I knew Freddy was going to ring either way, whether it was good or bad news and for it to be good news, was really exciting,” Young told NRL.com.

“I always watch the footy, so I watched Parra and the Bulldogs and then I actually went to the gym after the footy because we played on Friday we had a longer turnaround.

“So, I was just in the gym and Freddy called me and said that I'd be playing in Brisbane.

“When I put down the phone, I was just excited. To get a chance to play Origin and to represent state is really important and really special to me and I knew I had more to give.

“I know what I bring on the footy field, so I just wanted to come back and show who I am, I guess."

Young’s recall comes on the back of two 80-minute performances at club level in which he averaged 83 run metres and 32 tackles for Canberra in the win over Wests Tigers and a loss to the Warriors.

The only Raider to take the field in Game One, Young said he was filled with confidence from coaches and teammates that he would be handed another opportunity in the Blues jersey after playing just 30 minutes at second row in Adelaide.

“I just went back and tried to be myself and we were unlucky not to win against the Warriors but we got the win against the Tigers but I was confident I played my game,” he said.

“I've got a really good support network around me in Canberra. Obviously Sticky (Ricky Stuart) has played for Australia and played Origin and he always has his players’ backs.

“He's always been a strong supporter of mine and for him to come out and have my back in the media and give me every confidence I’d be back here is very special.

“Jack Wighton and (Josh) Papali’i have also been here before. Everyone’s advice was just around coming back and playing my game. I know what I bring on the footy field so I just wanted to come back and be myself.”

Having settled the nerves in Game One and ticked the box of an Origin debut, the 25-year-old felt right at home when he headed into Blues camp this week.

“Obviously last time everything was new to me and, to come back and see all the boys again and see the coaching staff is really exciting," he said.

"Now I just need to go out there and play the style of footy I know I’m capable of.

"Of course, any player is going to be keen on more minutes and I play 80 minutes every week and I think I can play 80 minutes at Origin level. But that's out of my hands.

“I just want to control what I can and play like I do every week. I'm big on my effort plays and I feel like that's what Origin is built on.

“I know I’ve got the aggressive side as well but I feel like I've learned to control that and trust that I’ve been picked on my skill rather than that aggression.”