Australian Kangaroos and NSW Blues representative Angus Crichton is set to become the latest NRL star to depart the Sydney Roosters with the backrower agreeing to a code switch to rugby union.
Crichton has inked a two-year contract with Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs, which will begin after the conclusion of the 2026 NRL season.
Rugby Australia confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday.
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The move will make him eligible to compete for the Australian Wallabies at the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup.
However, according to Code Sports the second year of his fresh deal reportedly has an option, meaning he could return to the NRL as early as the 2028 season.
By that time Crichton will be 32, with the World Cup finishing in November. He could then return to rugby league and join a club’s pre-season campaign.
That club could be the Roosters, with the Tricolours reportedly open to his return.
Crichton was excited by the chance to return to rugby union and push for a Wallabies World Cup berth in 2027.
“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.
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“I am pleased to have confirmed my plans for beyond this season and look forward to fully focusing on the campaign ahead with my team mates and family at the Roosters.”
RA Chief Executive Phil Waugh was excited to welcome Crichton back to the sport he played as a junior.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Angus back to rugby ahead of a momentous 2027 season, highlighted by a once-in-a-generation home Rugby World Cup,” Waugh said.
“Angus excelled as a rugby player through the schoolboy and junior ranks and we believe he will make a strong contribution to the performance and culture of Australian Rugby.
“He has developed into an elite talent and leader in rugby league and now has the opportunity to showcase his talent on the unique global platform that rugby provides.”
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RA Director of High Performance Peter Horne, meanwhile, stressed the importance of Crichton’s signing heading into a World Cup year in 2027.
“The signing of Angus is an important step as we continue to build depth across Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific squads and ensure internal competition for national selection,” Horne said.
“Angus has a deep connection with rugby union as a former Australian Schoolboys representative and has consistently played at the highest level in league.
“We’re looking forward to bringing him back to rugby and introducing his unique experiences and skillset into our environment from next season.”
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A member of rugby union’s 2014 Australia Schoolboys side, Crichton has been continually linked with the 15-man code over the past six months and admitted at the back end of last year that he was leaning towards making the switch.
Set to be used as a midfield option by the Waratahs, the move to union will see him follow former teammate Joseph Suaalii and current teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase to the code as he looks to chase the dream of playing at the World Cup in 2027.
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Debuting in the NRL in 2016, Crichton has registered nearly 200 matches for the Rabbitohs and Roosters as well as 17 games for the NSW Blues and 11 Tests for Australia.
Crichton, a former Australian Schoolboys representative, will return to rugby union after a highly-successful decade in the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters, during which he attained state and international honours.
Crichton, 29, will join the Waratahs ahead of the 2027 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season and compete for a place on the Wallabies squad ahead of the home Rugby World Cup later that year.
A graduate of The Scots College, Crichton was a member of the school’s GPS championship-winning teams in 2013 and 2014 and earned Australian Schoolboys selection both years, playing alongside top-level talent including Waratah Andrew Kellaway.
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