Sydney Roosters second-rower Angus Crichton is back dangling a carrot at Rugby Australia.
The 28-year-old is nearing contract limbo at Bondi and says he’s prepared to push his chips at rugby in the coming weeks, should the right offer come his way.
“I think I need to do what’s right for myself and I guess I am coming to the age now where I am coming into my prime … I turned 28 this year,” Crichton said this week.
“If I was going to jump codes it will be in the next little bit. If I am going to go over and play union I don’t want to go over washed up and waste anyone’s time, if I’m going to give union a crack I want to give it a good crack and I want to dominate that.
“If it’s the right opportunity I’m open to it.”
This stands as his final year at the Tricolours, unless an extension or rival offer is tabled. The 157-game Blues representative has no shortage of talent. Crichton has a freakish schoolboy highlights package – a 2014 montage of the outside centre ripping through opposition backlines with dazzling footwork and a strong offload game.
Yet, the former skill is one now eradicated from his current game. Weighing in at 102 kilograms, the league No.12 has radically changed his body type and flair over the last eight years – which is a concerning prospect and raises a few queries, if he switches to union.
Angus Crichton celebrates a Blues win in 2018.
Once a line-running superstar with the ability to run through and around his opposition, Crichton is irrefutably a short-ball big-man for the Chooks. He is there to make tackles, pop an offload and stick to the hip of Luke Keary or Sam Walker.
As a youngster who burst onto the scene with the Rabbitohs, the Scots College graduate began his career as an elusive ball-runner who could shift his feet prior to contact, or fly through to dive on a grubber. Given time changes things, Crichton’s body has remarkably altered his natural skill.
The edge player, who was once an attacking threat in space with early service, is now a wrecking ball, who puts up the bumper bars when running into contact. This isn’t a criticism of his playing style or body – rugby league has undoubtedly moulded Crichton to withstand the hard contact and torso tackling technique to wrap up the pill.
Theoretically, if the Rooster was to leave the NRL and rejoin the ranks of rugby, what would we need from him to show promise? And where would he slot in?
First, it would be unrealistic to suggest Crichton still has the turn of foot seen in the 160,000-view YouTube video.
It has been nearly 10 years since those feats, and he was carrying 25-30 kilograms less. As a second-rower, ‘Gus’ is only stationed on one side of the field and has a very strict role: make tough carries, look for a possible offload as a fourth tackle option, and chase the kick. Based off the NRL’s defensive structure, Crichton also moves up and down, as opposed to laterally (except on fourth/fifth tackle plays).
The creativity has been stripped from his game, whereas a No.13 in union pops up on both sides of the field and has the ability to kick. He also is rarely required to pick up speed and acceleration given his truck it up style.
This being said, placing the Rooster at outside centre in union, based off his current body type and skillset, would pose a defensive disaster. Put him against the speed of a Jordan Petaia, or say Rieko Ioane at international level, and there would be too much space for the opposition to skip on his outside, especially with more than 10 metres depth to work with.
So where does this leave him? A backrower, No.8?
Fitness and agility would be the major question mark. Having to circle the length of the field and follow the ruck at all times would be a concerning challenge. Whilst he has done it before at GPS level, Crichton’s job is to run up and down a 15-metre channel over 65 minutes. As a flanker or lock, it would be his duty to stalk the path of the ball and put in an 80 minute performance.
Add on the discussion of ball skills. While mentioned as a capable offloader, having to pass the ball and weave in on backline plays is a primary task of backrowers. Again, history shows Crichton was the full rugby package. Although, 10 years have changed a lot.
Compare Crichton with the likes of Fraser McReight and Bobby Valetini, it is hard to see him competing with their agility and dominance in contact. McReight and Valetini are strong one-on-one defenders who while statistically don’t make as many tackles as the NRL Crichton, perform ten times the work post contact to contest the ruck and follow the ball. The reality of defence in league is to hold up the ball and suffocate all offloads, which often requires two to three defenders.
While the likes of Jake Trbojevic and Brandon Smith are top hit, stick and squeeze tacklers, the Roosters have altered Crichton’s technique to work above the hips.
Finally, what all code-switches are about – cash. Crichton is currently enjoying a hefty $675,000 per year salary. Joseph Suaalii is an exception, his $5million contract a nod to his youth and Rugby Australia’s willingness to keep him in the game. With Crichton, it is hard to label his worth. He is unproven, untested and has a good five years left in the peak of his career.
Valetini is arguably Australia’s best backrower, on a deal with Rugby Australia around the $600,000 mark, having resigned until 2027. So it seems Crichton’s best chance at making bank in rugby is a lucrative deal with a club like the Western Force, or an overseas powerhouse, possibly in the Top 14, which happens to be the competition his great mate and former Wallaby Jack Maddocks plays in.
One thing is for certain. If rugby is to lure the signature of Angus Crichton, don’t expect the skills or hype of the 2014 version. Too much in the game and player has changed since then.
Mark Ferguson
Roar Rookie
Personally I think it speaks volumes of the man as the chooks carried him basically all last season with his mental health issues and now wants to repay that support with defecting to Union..
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Does Angus Creighton in any way resemble Sonny Bill?
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
Ma'a Nonu was much bigger, faster, could kick well and had fantastic hands. He also played his entire career in the sport. How is anyone comparing a league journeymen with arguably the greatest rugby 12 of all time? Who are you people?
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
If Rugby finds $50 to sign this bloke I will start burning down buildings.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I think they could do a bit better than offering contracts to rugby players who claim they are being offered more by NRL clubs. Or maybe NRL players claiming more money is being offered etc. That is more of a rugby management issue. Worst case is that we are only in the market for NRL players who are unlikely to earn more than their current contract. Not as easy as it sounds. Bottom line this is a problem with rugby administration, not NRL players.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Oh I’m not joking, I genuinely would like it to happen, though I know it never will, so it was just a bit of fun. I’d settle for RA stipulating that they’ll never pay a convert more in his first contract than what he’s already getting in league.
FourwingSweepa
Roar Rookie
No they'll be sending him to centrelink
FourwingSweepa
Roar Rookie
I do watch alot of rugby grouch feigning injuries is infiltrating schoolboys but the international game is another level
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Yes my bad. I should have read between the lines that by inference you were supporting rugby league players staying in rugby league. Well done you. Freedom of choice in action. I can only surmise from this string that you were joking all along. Very funny.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
You seem to be under the impression that I believe rugby league players should be forced to play rugby union. In fact I fully support them if they decide not to.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
Oh yes, you did not stipulate that. What can the local suburban rugby club afford? Petrol vouchers, $400 a game, cash in a boot?
Ben Pobjie
Expert
I didn’t suggest that anyone should have to work for free.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I have no issues with his coming to rugby but at 28 his contract should be performance based.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
No you did not suggest that you should work for free, just that you think other people should have to. What is weird is that you don't even see why I might make a connection between what you demand of others, and what you expect for yourself.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
They do that by assessing the alternative job offers and then choose to be employed as rugby union player instead of being a rugby league player. Its a bit like an accountant who works in manufacturing deciding he has a common set of skills which might enable him to get a better paid or more interesting job as an accountant in the finance industry. The prospective employer will analyse their needs, the skills required and make an assessment of the prospective employee's skills, the additional training required and other aspects like cultural fit etc. At no stage does either party consider a year's probation with no income. As I said, if this is the quality of ideas to solve rugby's problems, then there is no hope. The objective should be to have as many rugby league stars wanting to play the game as possible. Sadly 25 years ago that number would have been a lot larger, although only a few were prepared to take the risk.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Presumably he was playing for the Rabbitohs at that point? If he was told that, why didn't he go to the Western Force or Melbourne Rebels?
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Ok, l'll restrict it to league forward being the dumbest career choice.
piru
Roar Rookie
Ok as an ex offensive lineman I'm going to have to disagree with you there. Dumb players don't last long at the line of scrimmage
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Nope. He was told by the Tahs at 18 he wouldn’t get a game till he was 23
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Who cares where they come from..bunch of snobs most rugby enthusiasts and snobs arent something you can run your business off..perhaps a cigar and cognac bar on double bay...that's it!!