Rugby Australia wants Angus Crichton. But the governing body won’t break the bank to secure the services of the former Schoolboys star turned household NRL name despite being linked to a mega $1.6 million deal.
After months of being in RA’s sights, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that the governing body had offered the 27-year-old a two-year deal worth an estimated $1.6 million to join the Western Force.
However, in news that will relieve the concern across the national landscape after a disastrous fortnight in Australian rugby history following the Wallabies’ World Cup flop, The Roar understands that the figure is outrageously too high, according to sources, and is, in fact, closer to $500,000 per season.
While Crichton would have commanded top rate dollar in years gone by, the former Scots College prodigy struggled in 2023.
It came after health problems following last year’s World Cup triumph with the Kangaroos.
It’s why RA won’t throw the kitchen sink at the State of Origin back-rower.
Rugby league World Cup-winner Angus Crichton has been linked to a cross-code switch. But Rugby Australia won’t break the bank on the NRL star. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Rugby figures believe Crichton could prove to be a valuable player in the game, but The Roar has been told there remains apprehension about what player will turn up.
The failed experiment of Tepai Moeroa, who was lured across from the Parramatta Eels on a sum worth an estimated $400,000 after also being a schoolboy prodigy, remains fresh in the memory bank.
Moeroa was troubled by injuries and the crash-ball centre option failed to live up to the hype of his move and left after two years.
While the Roosters have had salary cap issues all year, there’s a feeling the NRL powerhouse would not want to offload a player unless they had reason to.
Given their salary cap issues, it’s understood the Roosters wouldn’t stand in the way of the back-rower being released one year early from his deal. It would also allow them to throw money to secure rising star Siua Wong, another Scots graduate who was looked at by RA officials earlier this year.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh (R) and Chairman Hamish McLennan. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images for Rugby Australia)
Crichton is admired for his rugby deeds, but there is an element of apprehension across the entire rugby landscape as to how he will continue to recover from his health scare.
Sources have told The Roar that Wallabies coach Eddie Jones would support a move to secure Crichton, but he would be given no assurances of playing for the national side.
Crichton’s father, Charles, is a former Australian Schoolboys rugby representative who played alongside Tim Horan, Jason Little and Peter Jorgensen and would likely support a cross-code switch.
Crichton isn’t the only big name NRL player to be linked to a cross-code switch in recent months.
Earlier this year Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas was linked to a huge deal to join rugby union.
Except, it wasn’t RA who was chasing Haas rather the NRL star.
With Crichton off contract at the end of 2024, it gives the hard-hitting back-rower avenue to explore his options.
Meanwhile, with the Wallabies struggling in France, NRL chairman Peter V’landys took the opportunity to shoot down former State of Origin captain Laurie Daley’s proposal that rugby league should buy rugby union so that the two games can co-exist to fend off the threat of AFL.
“Well, the first rule in business is that you always buy an asset, not a liability,” V’landys told the Footy Talk podcast.
“So I guess that idea would be off the table straight away. Tell Laurie, you don’t buy liabilities, you buy assets.”
Guess
Roar Rookie
He didn't miss half season only 3 games, and they sucked cause they had no playmaker without him. I don't get how this article about league hopper is related to Jones being stupid? How's it jorgo's fault? Is kemeny also nepo baby?
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
he missed half the season with injury. He was not match fit going into camp. There's no way he deserved to be in that squad over Ikatau, Wright, Hodge or flook
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
You might not realise it, but a few league players have converted to rugby.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Good thing one of us is.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
No idea and I can't see the relevance
ojp44
Roar Rookie
Thanks Ken, its been a couple of decades since I lived in Sydney so happy to stand corrected on this, cheers ojp44 (apologies if this appears as a double post; tried to reply before, not sure where it went)
Guess
Roar Rookie
Jorgo isn't nepo baby he deserved his place. He was the best tah this year. He's chosen rugby. Strange to compare him with that over the hill code hopper
KenW
Roar Rookie
Nice work, you're getting it.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
No, because they’re all playing in the NRL
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
How often do the Wallabies visit Georgia or Romania ?
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
And ? It's been that way since Messenger. There's still no Wallaby greats that have come from league.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
And if something exists in Scotland it exists in the UK, but not in England. If you need further help gimme a shout.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
And how many of those countries do the Kangaroos regular visit?
KenW
Roar Rookie
For someone so big on travel and geography, I'll let you in on a little secret which might come in useful. England is in the UK. If something exists in England then it exists in the UK.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
It’s played in all the home nations actually. You might be surprised to learn that there are participation leagues in 55 countries, sone of which Rugby is not played.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
The best young talent
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
My point was that league isn't played in the UK. It's played in England.
Ruckin' Oaf
Roar Rookie
Getting what ?
HittingGapsWithNoGas
Roar Rookie
True but that might also be a product of the size of the TV pie the NRL has been able to get their hands on. I forgot Union existed for 15 years because it went to Fox for $80 a month and the current TV agreement for Rugby is reflective of that decade plus long drop off. RA doesn’t have the luxury to wait around for wealthy suitors to line up around the corner. They have to be proactive. Currently, RA’s only tool in their belt is trying to overpay League players and bloviate in a clipped accent to Danny Weidler. They’ve tried nothing and they’re all out of ideas.
HittingGapsWithNoGas
Roar Rookie
I’m personally not a big fan of Leagues Clubs but Union Clubs and RA in general in their current form seem pretty devoid of profitable revenue streams with two out of the five Super teams on struggle street. Not my cup of tea but it is legal and apparently it’s how a lot of people like to spend their time and money. (I went into Campbeltown Catholic Club a couple months back and thought the juxtaposition of a statue of Mary next to punters ploughing pineapples into the pokies pretty grotesque but also amusing.) There’s no denying it’s a money maker and it does inject and ingratiate a Rugby club into the fabric of its community. In an ideal world, all the Union clubs would be able to establish fine, pokie-free, Merivale-esque palaces of hospitality and dining that made a motza but I’m not holding my breath. I kinda just want RA to get a heartbeat and start doing something to make a bitta cash and support the game. Hamish’s piss weak Mosman tough guy act about rugby players being able to travel is lame. Just make some money bro, isn’t that what you’re here for.