Kangaroos and Blues Origin star Angus Crichton will join his former Roosters teammate, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, at the NSW Waratahs in 2027 after making a late decision to defect to rugby union ahead of next year’s World Cup.
The deal for the 29-year-old, who grew up playing union and came close to signing with the Western Force following the 2023 World Cup, has been unveiled by Rugby Australia. It comes with a get out clause following the 2027 World Cup.
His contract, which is understood to be around $650,000, was officially signed on Wednesday morning and comes after weeks of negotiations.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be returning to the sport I played throughout my childhood,” Crichton said.
“Growing up in Young, I have great memories driving up on buses to Canberra with the other farmers and their families for the Tahs-Brumbies game every year.
“To have a chance to play in the same Waratahs jersey as Lote Tuqiri, my favourite rugby player as a kid, is something special. I grew up with a Wallabies jersey and poster on the wall and my dream was to one day represent them.
“I’m in a position in 2027 to pursue that dream and I would like to thank Rugby Australia and the Waratahs for the opportunity, while also acknowledging and showing gratitude for the wonderful career I’ve had in the NRL.
“I am pleased to have confirmed my plans for beyond this season and look forward to fully focusing on the campaign ahead with my teammates and family at the Roosters.”
Crichton told his teammates over the past 24 hours and he will officially join Dan McKellar’s side following the 2026 NRL season.
The move will allow Crichton to potentially follow in the footsteps of Suaalii by going on an end of season spring tour before playing a Super Rugby match.
The hard-hitting Roosters back-rower is being viewed as either an inside centre or back-rower.
While Crichton’s ball skills will have to improve if he wants to feature in the No.12 jersey, the Origin star’s arrival will give Wallabies coach-in-waiting Les Kiss another midfield option.
His arrival will also help offset the loss of Reds and Wallabies midfielder Hunter Paisami, who will head to Japan’s League One competition following the 2026 Super Rugby season.
But with the World Cup fast approaching, Kiss will be acutely aware of the delicate nature of reintegrating Crichton back to rugby union.
Indeed, Kiss only has to look at England’s efforts in catapulting Sam Burgess into the firing line in time for the 2015 World Cup for a case study in what not to do, as Stuart Lancaster’s side spectacularly bombed out in the pool stages. Months later Burgess returned to rugby league.
Ben Teo’s strong impression for Leinster and, later, England, however, showed that rugby league forwards can thrive in the 15-man game.
Les Kiss. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Kiss, too, will hope his strong history in rugby league will help Crichton’s return to rugby union.
His defection comes more than a decade after Waratahs officials infamously said the schoolboy star would have to bide his time before making his Super Rugby debut.
Disillusioned, the schoolboy prodigy signed with the Rabbitohs and made his debut in 2016, before joining the Roosters in 2019.
Now, Crichton is on the cusp of playing his 200th NRL game more than a decade later, featuring 17 times for the Blues and winning the World Cup with the Kangaroos.
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