Crichton to switch codes and chase Wallabies jersey for 2027 World Cup

Angus Crichton has signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs as he chases a spot at the 2027 World Cup, meaning the next NRL season will be the 29-year-old’s last with the Sydney Roosters for some time.

The Wallabies and Waratahs will consider Crichton as a midfield option, The Daily Telegraph has reported, in a move quite similar to other second row defectors like Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o. Crichton played all across the park during his junior rugby days, though he settled into a six role during his time with the Australian Schoolboys.

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There’s every chance Crichton returns to the Roosters as soon as the 2028 season, though, with the 29-year-old signing a two-year deal that includes an option for the second year. That would mean Crichton could return after 2027.

Likely, the second rower would then simply re-sign with the Roosters for the following years.

That’s a similar structure to the deal Sydney has with Mark Nawaqanitawase once his rugby contract expires.

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Crichton had originally come through playing footy in the Waratahs development system but switched to the NRL with a South Sydney Rabbitohs offer after he was told he wasn’t guaranteed a start in Super Rugby. He played 55 matches for the Bunnies before moving to Bondi in 2019 to play for the tricolours, where he’s made 143 appearances.

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While he missed the Roosters’ 2018 title due to when he moved, he was part of the championship team that went back-to-back in 2019. He’s been a Kangaroos mainstay since 2022, and has played 17 State of Origin clashes for New South Wales.