One month to find $300,000: Rugby’s equation to land Angus Crichton
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Rugby Australia has one month to find the additional $300,000 needed to prompt a code switch from Roosters star Angus Crichton for next season.
Crichton is contracted to the Roosters for 2024, but the NRL club is prepared to grant him an immediate release if he receives a suitable deal from the 15-man code. The Tricolours don’t want the issue to be a distraction to their preparations for next season and want a resolution before their players return to training in early November.
Crichton has the capacity to earn up to $850,000 per annum in rugby league when his base contract, potential NSW and Australian representative earnings, car allowances, third-party deals and sponsorships from firms including Adidas and Therabody are combined.
The 27-year-old is prepared to take up a package deal from rugby’s governing body and Super Rugby franchise Western Force immediately, but not if it leaves him out of pocket.
Sources speaking to the masthead on the condition of anonymity, due to the delicate stage in negotiations, said that leaves RA one month to make up the difference from its original offer.
Crichton isn’t expected to be directly involved in the negotiations. The NSW and Australian forward is holidaying in France, where he is watching several of his friends – including Scotland forward Sione Tuipulotu – contest the World Cup.
While his presence in Paris is seemingly an opportunity for RA officials to personally pitch to him, Crichton is leaving all the negotiations to his management.
The Roosters were keen to begin contract extension talks with Crichton in August, but the decision was ultimately made to put those on hold. While the Bondi Junction outfit felt blindsided by Joseph Suaali’s pending defection to the Wallabies, the club is prepared to accommodate a Crichton release request because he has been upfront about the rugby interest.
Angus Crichton is mulling his future.Credit: NRL Photos
RA chairman Hamish McLennan has been bullish about his chances of luring across a slew of league stars, but Suaalii remains his only signature to date. Several potential targets including Cameron Murray, Will Penisini, Tolutau Koula, and Nelson Asofa-Solomona have all recommitted to their NRL clubs.
Crichton has shown glimpses of his best form after taking some personal time at the start of the season. At his best, the Scots College product is a regular for the Blues and Kangaroos.
Crichton’s rugby signing would be a welcome good-news story to a RA administration reeling from an embarrassing crash out of World Cup contention, at a time when Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has been linked to a move to Japan.
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