A week after being linked to a bombshell $1.6 million deal to join the Western Force, negotiations to try and lure Angus Crichton across from the NRL have fallen over.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that RA had tabled an offer to sign the Sydney Roosters back-rower, who was an Australian Schoolboys star, on a deal worth $800,000 per season.
At the time, The Roar reported that the offer was more than $300,000 over what was being considered.
After losing Crichton to South Sydney, RA had always kept an open mind about luring the Schoolboys prodigy back to the XV-player game. Increasingly, RA chairman Hamish McLennan had become bullish about luring the 27-year-old back to rugby.
With the Waratahs midfield stocks strong, as showcased by the performance of Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese against Portugal, the Force, coached by Simon Cron who has long craved a strong ball-running midfielder, had been floated as a home for Crichton.
But after up to three months of negotiations, where multiple deadlines were missed, both parties have ended talks about the back-rower crossing codes.
Rugby Australia have pulled out of negotiations with Angus Crichton. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
The report last week that RA had tabled a massive $1.6 million offer at the forward did not go down well with the game’s stakeholders, particularly with the Wallabies struggling at the Rugby World Cup and the entire game being scrutinised with a fine-tooth comb.
It left many influential figures across the Australian rugby landscape, including the Super Rugby franchises, up in arms, particularly with no massive cash injection to land over the coming months after RA shelved their private equity plans recently.
There were also concerns as to how Crichton, who is off contract with the Roosters at the end of 2024 but could have sought an early release, would transition back to rugby and where he would play.
Nonetheless, the falling over of negotiations is a blow to the Force and, indeed, the Wallabies, with the regular State of Origin and World Cup-winning Kangaroos forward one of the NRL’s best for almost a decade.
With Samu Kerevi’s future beyond the World Cup still uncertain, particularly given he is based in Japan and on the cusp of turning 30, Crichton would have added depth to the Wallabies’ midfield less than 24 months out from the British and Irish Lions series.
The Wallabies are likely to miss out on the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time despite a bonus point win over Portugal at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on October 01, 2023. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Already the Wallabies have Crichton’s teammate Joseph Suaalii returning to the XV-player game, with the outside back to join the Waratahs for the 2025 Super Rugby season.
RA chief executive Phil Waugh, who privately remains open to targeted assaults on rugby league players who have played rugby or could add value to the game, said the Wallabies didn’t need to poach more talent from the NRL to be competitive against the British and Irish Lions in 2025.
“I don’t think so,” Waugh told reporters on Monday.
“I think what we need to do is with those players who have just entered their international career [is consider] how do we actually get more competitive games?
“One of the challenges we have with Super Rugby Pacific is we’re probably playing the same style of rugby against New Zealand teams as Australians, what we really miss is that variation which South Africa brought and what northern hemisphere teams bring.
“I think there’s a piece around how do we get a bit more creative in creating opportunities to play against different styles of teams and the British and Irish Lions is going to be a huge challenge when you look at the growth of the north over the last period of time.”
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh talks with Will Skelton during a Wallabies training session ahead of their final Test against Portugal. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The CEO’s comments came the morning after the Wallabies secured a 34-14 bonus point win over Portugal in their final World Cup Pool C fixture.
While the win saw the Wallabies move into second spot in Pool C, Fiji only need a losing bonus point against Portugal to leapfrog their Pacific neighbours.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones said he was proud of the players’ efforts but admitted he was disappointed they weren’t in control of their destiny.
“The disappointment is we haven’t controlled our own destiny,” said Jones, having been asked for his assessment of the entire campaign.
“In a pool stage you want to control your own destiny and we haven’t done that. As I’ve said, I take full responsibility for that.”
Waugh, who took over as RA CEO in June and maintained that a semi-final appearance at the World Cup was the pass mark, said the governing body remained committed to Jones despite being on the cusp of their worst result in the 10 editions of the tournament.
“We’ll do the assessment of the campaign but our intent is to continue on the path that we’re on,” he said.
“I think this is not so much around chopping and changing coaches as it is around actually just fixing the system. I think it’s pretty evident when we lose a couple of players, the depth of the player that we’re bringing through is not necessarily up to it.
“And you’re not going to win World Cups or win international games if you don’t have that depth and system supporting the national team.”
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
Andy Farrell is a great bloke, was a great League player, was a good union player and coach but I do not believe that he has ever coached league nor NRL. That said, RA would definitely benefit from someone like him, then again we all thought that about Eddie. "Too many nrl embedded talents believe in their soul that rugby is an inferior game" To be honest, there is probably some truth in that belief but a lot of it comes down to what you enjoy. Rugby is a more complex, more regulated, slower version than League which is much faster, much more intense and skilful. As someone on this site once said, A great game of Union beats a great game of League but the problem is that there are far more great games of League. So for talented players that have become settled in League and are enjoying the game, it is none too surprising that many believe that Union is inferior. I live in Melbourne where everyone and his dog is indoctrinated from birth in AFL. Chatting with a bunch of people I had never met before, I mentioned that I followed Rugby and cared little for AFL. They were all aware of Rugby of course even though few had ever watched a game at least live but it wasn't long before you realised that when you say Rugby they automatically think NRL and some are even unaware that there are 2 codes in existence, I think this view extends beyond victoria amongst the "casual" fan classes and this too is a real problem because it is amongst this group that is our chance to grow. Someone suggested that RA should approach the NRL to see if they would be interested in taking over Rugby. In this country, we would have much to gain from such an arrangement and I for one thinks that RA ought to pursue it.
Antho
Roar Rookie
Suaalii in my honest opinion will prove to be a good signing. Wallabies are unsettled for a 15 if that’s what eventuates. Crichton would’ve been a great signing 3-4 years ago but played his poorest season in a long time (obviously circumstances around that) this season and suddenly RA interested? Would’ve been a let down for all involved for me.
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
I actually think Rennie's best selections were 2020. He had had some god results with a win over and NZ and an unlucky draw and close loss to NZ. But his final year, 2022 was atrocious. Pretty sure Scott Johnson had been sent packing as Aus rugby director
Spunkmeyer
Roar Rookie
” I was very critical of Rennie’s selections last year. He really stuffed up with Foley thinking lightening would strike twice after Quade. Rennie was not perfect, he had a problem with his merry go round with fullback scrumhalf and blindside. I think he went through 6 fullbacks and dithered around with 3 scrumhalf’s and 4 Blindsides. He had one good patch when he stop dithering and that was 6 games in 2021.He reverted back to the ditherer late in 2021 EOYT. Jones is just worse, another level of uselessness with his bizarro brain dead picks. At least Rennie picked proven winners most of the time and never left our best players out of the squad.
Spunkmeyer
Roar Rookie
But how many of those flyhalves will make it BIG in test match rugby? When is NSW going to produce a good test flyhalf. Mark Ella was the last.
Spunkmeyer
Roar Rookie
Aren`t 3 of them Aussies too?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
A fan after he coached us to a premiership in 2016.
Donbich
Roar Rookie
Well actually, the definition of recruitment doesn't pertain to the actual process of payment. Recruitment is: the action of finding new people to join an organization or support a cause. ARU undertook a very public recruitment attempt that went as far as discussing contract conditions. That recruitment effort then fell through the floor when they realised he was a waste and they need to pay their existing players ;)
Jez North
Roar Rookie
I don’t believe Harry Wilson did enough to win a spot in France but agree his game is promising. So why on earth did he re-sign in Australia beyond this tournament when he could have taken his game to the next level in a top European side ? If we want to do well in 2027, why not release the spine of our best players if they can secure spots in those top teams? It worked wonders for Skelton, White, Beale etc. Why not send Bell, a hooker, Tupou, Hooper (6), Lonergan, CG, Perese, Ikitau & Petaia ?
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
You can’t have a battle of wits with an unarmed man..
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Sorry not many will really care about Sualli or a Crichton, they won’t turn the performances around. Not many more eyeballs but a huge outlay. Crichton like M Hooper is exhausted mentally and just wanted a big final pay cheque and achange. Eddie and these performances will take years to recover from a low base of last year. We are hedging our bets that the Lions tour will be popular & successful. What if it is not? It may take till the next World Cup year to drum up interest again but boy will they have to work on the schoolboys and grassroots.
ScottD
Roar Guru
He has progressed at a massive pace in the last 18 months. Imagine what he will be like with a full year of SR under his belt.
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
Cash to the grassroots for me.. get the development officers out to the schools and regions to spread the word and make it fun for the kids.. let them know they have another choice besides AFL soccer and league
piru
Roar Rookie
I think so too, but I've seen not one word out of our office
piru
Roar Rookie
Once again, he wasn't recruited, or given any money.
piru
Roar Rookie
Young Marley looked very good against that Cheetahs front row
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Thank F for that. Now just do the same for that other one and get that money into the women’s game
jimmy jones
Roar Rookie
gd news, now for Sualiis deal to fall over too
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Cron has not achieved anything yet to be considered an option. He needs to win a SR title or two and proof himself first.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
Think we missed a bullet