3 weeks ago
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A former rugby code convert believes Angus Crichton has the tools to make an immediate impact in a Wallabies jersey, as speculation swirls around the State of Origin hardman’s ability to transition to union.
Crichton will leave the NRL and Roosters at the end of the 2026 season to begin a two-year stint with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs.
The move will, at least temporarily, draw the curtain on a rugby league career that has included 17 caps for New South Wales, 11 appearances for the Kangaroos, and a premiership with Sydney in 2019.
Angus Crichton in action for the Kangaroos.Credit: AP
The star back-rower, who grew up playing rugby union at The Scots College in Sydney, is expected to play inside-centre in the 15-man code, and by the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, could feature in a Wallabies backline headlined by fellow former Roosters Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii and Mark Nawaqanitawase.
Crichton’s reputation in the rival code will heighten expectations on him to perform quickly, but Gold Coast Titans centre Jojo Fifita said he had seen enough to suggest Crichton would not be daunted by the shift.
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Fifita did not play rugby league until he had graduated from the Gold Coast’s The Southport School, where he played outside-centre in union – the same sport in which his father, Pila, represented Tonga.
The Southport School has produced more than a dozen Wallabies, including dual-code international Mat Rogers, and Fifita felt all Crichton had to do to become a force in the Wallabies’ No.12 jumper was “get his speed up”.
“I think they have a lot more ball skills involved when you’re playing 12 and 13 in union, so I think he’ll be a bit more involved in backline plays. That’s what backs love in union; they love their backline plays – set plays, scrum plays, lineout plays – that’s their bread and butter,” Fifita said.
“I reckon he’ll be learning a lot more with his skills, and he’s got pretty good skills, so I reckon he’ll go pretty good. The centre positions, you’re defending sort of the same shapes, there are just a little more people on the field in union, so you’ve got a little bit more trust in your teammates.
“But the skills you learn in union definitely come over to league as well. I reckon he’ll be a good fit at inside-centre.”
Fifita admitted a return to the game he grew up with “has always been in the back of my mind”. But with the 23-year-old centre’s future locked at the Titans until the end of 2027, his current focus is on spearheading the club out of the doldrums and forging a lethal backline combination with Phil Sami.
Sami has been training on the left wing and is pushing for a contract extension beyond his 2026 deal, after reports emerged he was in the sights of the Perth Bears and St George-Illawarra Dragons. While it had been suggested that he wouldn’t factor into the Titans’ long-term plans, new coach Josh Hannay was swift to assure the two-time Maroons flyer he would.
“It meant a lot for him to say that to me, to stay here and continue my journey with the Titans,” Sami said.
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“It was up in the air a bit in the off-season, there were a lot of reports out there, but for him to give me that call that he trusts me … I’m just grateful for his support, and I want to pay that back.”
While the Titans’ left-edge combination of Fifita, Sami and edge forward Beau Fermor remains, Hannay will need to rejig his entire right side following the departures of Alofiana-Khan Pereira (Warriors), Brian Kelly (Eels), and Fifita’s second-cousin, David Fifita (Rabbitohs).
David’s departure – after playing just eight games in 2025 due to form and injuries – has left a gaping void, and Fifita predicted the wrecking-ball forward would return to his best at South Sydney.
“I think players go through stages where they just need a fresh start, and I think that was David,” Fifita said.
“I’m happy for him that he left, and I can see in all the videos the Rabbitohs are posting that he looks happy and is enjoying himself. It’s only going to help his footy, so it’s going to be a good year for him.”
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