Ricky Stuart took aim at The Courier Mail's attack on Hudson Young, saying the real Hudson Young was the one that had been picked to make his State of Origin debut for NSW.
Stuart also said the same people who had labelled the 24-year-old a "grub" four years ago were the ones encouraging him to be an enforcer now.
Young will run out in the second row for the Blues at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night after launching himself into the selection frame with a breakout 2022 NRL campaign.