The Roosters are back in the box seat to re-sign in-form back rower Angus Crichton after Titans star David Fifita sensationally backed out of his deal to join the Sydney club from next season.
However, it can’t be ignored that Crichton potentially feels disenchanted with the Roosters, considering he wasn’t told about the club’s big money offer to Fifita.
This slightly opens the door for rival NRL clubs to make a play at Crichton, who is off contract at the end of 2024.
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Fifita’s shock BACKFLIP on Roosters deal | 05:27
Crichton is also reportedly considering a switch to rugby union as well.
The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie wondered if Crichton will be considering going elsewhere in the wake of the Fifita saga.
“It’s a funny situation with Crichton now. He was most upset last week,” Ritchie said.
“You saw his media conference and you could see in his face that he was disappointed he wasn’t told about the Fifita deal.
“What does he do now, does he say, ‘you can jam it, I’m going?’ Does he swallow his pride and say ‘come to me now and increase my offer by a couple of hundred thousand’ or does he leave?”
Crichton has been the form back rower of the competition over the past month, and his recent play has seen his value skyrocket.
It’s no secret the Roosters have a stack of cash to spend with the likes of Joey Manu, Luke Keary and Joseph Suaalii all set to leave the club at the end of the season.
‘Taking the piss!’ Deal backflip slammed | 04:17
Crichton has endured a tumultuous 18 months, which has included a medical episode in Europe after the 2022 Rugby League World Cup, mental health battles and a subsequent stay in rehab.
Through it all the Roosters stuck by Crichton, and while he started the season in reserve grade, the 28-year-old is playing career-best footy for one of the hottest sides in the NRL.
Fox League’s James Hooper believes there’s an element that Crichton “needs to repay the Roosters”.
“I think it’s complicated with Angus. I think you can go back to the beginning of last year. He’s spoken about it publicly, he made some decisions while he was overseas which led to him having a challenging year last season,” Hooper said.
“There’s a bit more to it. There’s an element that he needs to repay the Roosters in my opinion.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta added: “There’s a lot more that’s gone on behind the scenes that a lot don’t know about, that the Roosters have put into Angus.
“Like he owes them?” James Graham asked.
“To a degree. No one owes anyone but that’s probably fair to say,” Anasta replied.
With Queensland Origin star Fifita now staying put with the Titans for another two seasons, the Roosters will be left to pick up the pieces and rethink their roster — with Crichton and another edge foward potentially having good reason to feel disgruntled over the saga.
The club — flushed with depth in the second row — has reportedly told Sitili Tupouniua he could negotiate with other clubs.
Before the latest Fifita development Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted in recent days that the Titans star’s signing was going to make it hard to retain Crichton, who is off-contract at season’s end.
But the most startling comments came from Crichton himself.
“It does make you question where their head’s at,” Crichton told reporters after news Fifita was coming to the club.
“No one’s talked to me, which is funny.
“Last I heard they were keen (to re-sign me), but then obviously that (Fifita news) came out. It’s an interesting one and something I’ll have to monitor.
“All I can do is play good footy and keep putting my hand up to be there on the left.
“No one’s talked to me, and I’m not sure if they will.”
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Is Crichton’s future at the Chooks? | 03:12
Crichton said he would take his time deciding on his future but made it clear he doesn’t “want to be sitting behind anyone”.
The 28-year-old no longer has to worry about that, and the Roosters will now have little trouble accommodating him in the salary cap. But he may have to swallow his pride somewhat to stay after their Roosters showed their hand and a willingness to accept the prospect of letting him go — or Crichton could still choose to still test the market.
The club may also rethink the reportely decision to allow Tupouniua — contracted until the end of 2026 — to negotiate with other clubs.
“That could change now,” NRL great Laurie Daley said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Wednesday.
“But how do you feel now (if you’re Tupouniua)?”
Dean Ritchie responded: “You feel awful, but it’s a business, that’s how it works.
“Watch this space to see what happens … but this is a slap in the face for the Roosters.”
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Are the Roosters squeezing out forwards? | 03:12
The turn of events sets the scene for some fascinating conversations at Magic Rd in Brisbane this week amid talk Crichton and his management were due to meet with several clubs.
Among those reported to be keen on signing him is reigning champions Penrith, who were battling with the Roosters to sign Fifita.
The Panthers also have the cash to afford Crichton — whose value has likely skyrocketed in recent months with his form — having released star prop James Fisher-Harris to the Warriors from next season.
Anasta expects the Panthers will be one of several clubs that make a serious move in a saga that’s now taken yet another intriguing twist with Fifita’s backflip.
“I think Penrith will make a big play at Angus,” Anasta said.
“I think he would fit into that system very well.”
Source Agencies
