‘Don’t talk about it’: Crichton’s pact with coach amid one last Roosters dance
Angus Crichton couldn’t be more locked in as he plots to sign off from the Sydney Roosters with a second NRL premiership before chasing Rugby World Cup glory with the Wallabies next year.
It is a code-hopping journey he is sharing with teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase and coach Michael Cheika, who will trade a Chooks tracksuit for NSW Waratahs sky blue at season’s end.
Angus Crichton in action for the Roosters. Getty Images
Like Crichton, Cheika has been laser focused on his NRL commitments before swapping Steedens for Gilberts.
The Roosters forwards specialist inked a return to the Waratahs in August but has kept his head down and away from the media spotlight since then.
Crichton will play under Cheika next season in a backline full of big names including Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps.
It’s an elephant in the room that both are happy to have there.
“We don’t talk about it,” the decorated 30-year-old told nine.com.au and AAP ahead of Friday’s preliminary final against the Dolphins in Brisbane.
“Today’s the most important part of where we’re at, and we’re not looking too far ahead. Obviously, we both know that that’s going to be going on and that’s going to be happening and that’ll be great. But, right now, we’re so focused on the job at hand.”
So what makes Cheika - one of the world’s leading rugby coaches - special?
“The way he is around the boys and the person that he is,” Crichton said.
“He’s such a great character, great energy, and he’s just a good bloke. You see a lot of head coaches get super serious and they sort of lose that fun side of the sport.
“That side of rugby league is such a big part of it, the locker room and the relationships you make and the memories that you have. He’s got such a good energy and just a good bloke to be around, have a joke with, have a laugh with. He’s just a good fella.
“I think he’s pretty much the perfect guy for the (Waratahs) job, so I had a feeling that they’d probably come looking for him. I think it’ll be great.”
Michael Cheika is finishing up with the Roosters in the next few weeks. Getty Images
Crichton represented the Australian Schoolboys rugby team in 2013 and 2014 before embarking on a wildly successful 213-game NRL career as well as near automatic NSW Blues and Kangaroos selection.
His hero growing up was dual-code star Lote Tuqiri, and he is banking on Cheika fast-tracking his return to the 15-man game.
“He’s a legend of a bloke, and he’s a great coach - especially he’s a great rugby coach. And I think him being over here will definitely be a benefit for me, him understanding a little bit more about league and me being out of the game so long. I think he’ll be able to help me adjust back and learn a bit quicker than I would have without him.”
The admiration is mutual, with Cheika telling nine.com.au this year how thrilled he was to be finally working with Crichton, who will likely play as a hard-running inside centre for the Waratahs.
“It’s been brilliant for me to work up close to him. I’ve known Angus before, but I’ve never had a chance to coach him and see what he’s able to do with the football and without it,” Cheika said.
"But also the mentality that he brings towards wanting to be successful, positivity, just always looking to try and have a win and be in the contest.
“The competition in training, that alone makes him a top-level player in rugby league, and I’m sure he’s going to be a top-level player in rugby union when he makes that move. My focus is to get him in the best form of his life and that puts him in great stead for his future as well.”
Angus Crichton of the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. Getty
Nawaqanitawase has indicated that he will miss the Wallabies’ November Nations Championship Tests to instead start his contract with Robbie Deans’ Saitama Wild Knights in Japan.Cheika will start cracking the whip with the under-performing Waratahs in November and Crichton will likely be joining him in the Daceyville heat.
Crichton has only just returned from a long-term foot injury and said he wasn’t deserving of Kangaroos selection for the October-November Rugby League World Cup.
“Three months is a long time to be sitting there on the sidelines watching the boys,” he said.
“Today’s actually 12 weeks post-op, and no surprises, it’s still sore... there’s been some tough moments, but it’s all part of the journey.”
He is determined to make sure that his 159th game for the Roosters will not be his last.
“It’s all or nothing for us here,” Crichton said.
“I’m always open to returning here, but for me, I’m pretty all in (on rugby). If I’m doing something, I’m having a solid crack at it.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Angus Crichton in 2024 in Sydney. nna\liam.oloughlin
“Yeah, right down the track, I could potentially come back to league, but for me, I think the way I’m viewing this is, this is my last couple of games of my NRL career, and I’m looking to begin a new career, starting next year. And, hopefully, I’ll have as much fun and as much success in that new career.
“I know after the season I’m going to have some solid weeks getting this foot ready for next year.”
And a dream Waratahs midfield partnership with former Roosters and State of Origin teammate Suaalii, perhaps?
“I’m pretty good at trying to block out a lot of the bullshit and to keep my blinkers up,” he shot back.
“Yeah, I look forward to that, and it excites me, and it’ll be great. But you look too far ahead you’ll fall over where you are.”
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