BY STAFF WRITERS

Former representative forward Reni Maitua has slammed Canberra forward Hudson Young for an apparent eye gouge over the weekend saying Young would have left the field in a body bag if he attempted to illegal act on some of Maitua’s former teammates.

“I’m absolutely livid about this,” Maitua told Fox Sports News.

“I think it’s disgusting, Brett Finch said it best. At first glance maybe he’s trying to stop the try, but when he’s gone for the second grab at the face, and his finger has gone into the eye.

“I’m lost for words. I think it’s absolutely disgusting. He will get a long suspension and people are saying 20 weeks.

“So if this kid is suspended for 15 to 20 weeks, the Raiders won’t be paying him. Who’s going to pay his wages for something as stupid as that? He’ll be on the next plane to England.”

But Maitua wasn’t finished there.

“I don’t want to talk about being the ex player, but if he tried doing that to Mark O’Meley or Willie Mason or Sonny Bill Williams, he would have left that field in a body bag. I’m surprised he was able to walk off that field, because I would’ve put a massive target on him.

“And I might be going in hard, but this is his second offence. What’s going in your head to be thinking you can do something like that? He’s achieved nothing in the game, he’s a 21-year-old kid — have a bit of respect and get the rubbish out of the game.”

Meanwhile, tickets for the qualifying final at Lottoland have been suspended after an asbestos scare at the venue.

A report to be sent to NRL CEO Todd Greenberg will determine if Brookvale Oval is safe to host the match.