A Rugby League Star's Bold Switch to Union: Can He Conquer a New Frontier?
Imagine being a top-tier athlete, a celebrated figure in one sport, and then deciding to dive headfirst into a completely different arena. That's precisely the path Angus Crichton is taking, and the man who once tried to recruit him for Australian Rugby Union, Eddie Jones, is absolutely convinced of his success. But here's where it gets interesting: the journey hasn't been without its bumps.
Eddie Jones, a name synonymous with coaching prowess, first approached Crichton about a code switch back in 2023 when he was at the helm of the Wallabies. The initial negotiations, however, proved to be a drawn-out affair, ultimately dissolving without a deal. Crichton's manager, David Rawlings, even went on record describing the process with Rugby Australia as "bad business." Ouch!
Fast forward to this week, and Crichton has officially inked a two-year deal worth $1.6 million with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs. Interestingly, this new contract is for a similar financial figure to the one Jones initially proposed, though that earlier offer involved Crichton playing domestically for the Western Force.
Now, with Jones having transitioned to coaching Japan, he's looking forward to the possibility of facing Crichton and the Wallabies at the upcoming World Cup. When asked about Crichton's potential, Jones shared his core philosophy: "The rule for me has always been, ‘if you can play State of Origin, you can play Test rugby’ – Angus is a proper State of Origin player, so he’s going to make it in Test rugby." He emphasized that the key will be for Crichton to settle on a position quickly and for the coaching staff to provide excellent guidance, noting that "Coaching for the league players [is really important]."
Jones believes No. 12 (inside centre) is the ideal spot for Crichton. He acknowledges that while Crichton is a powerful player, he'll need to refine his footwork for the demands of rugby, a challenge Jones is confident he can overcome. "You always want them to do what they are really good at. Learning the nuances of the game can be a challenge, but the good players can do it quickly," Jones added.
To aid this transition, Crichton, who currently weighs around 108kg at the Roosters, is expected to shed a bit of weight to enhance his speed and agility in his new inside centre role.
And this is the part most people miss: the 29-year-old Crichton himself is still weighing his options for the end of the year. He was a standout forward for the Kangaroos in last year's Ashes series, but he's also considering making himself available for the Wallabies' spring tour of Europe. This would be a strategic move to accelerate his rugby development.
In a recent visit back home, Jones was scheduled to fly to Melbourne but made time to accept an invitation from Manly coach Anthony Seibold to observe an unofficial trial. Seibold, who previously worked as an assistant to Jones with the England rugby team, has often sought his advice. "It was an exchange of minds, mate," Jones commented on the visit, noting that Manly's attack appeared more direct and offered more options than in the previous year. He sees these observations as valuable for his own coaching, stating, "It’s good for me to watch and try to pick up on the nuances."
Seibold echoed the sentiment, calling Jones's insights invaluable. "I wanted him to have a look at some of our work off the footy, but also what the coaches do and our communication," he explained. "He’s a world-class coach and he gave us some good advice. I enjoy having him in and he takes a few ideas back to Japanese rugby."
Now, over to you: Do you think Angus Crichton's move to rugby union will be a resounding success, or will the intricacies of the new sport prove too challenging? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your agreement or disagreement!
