The plan to start Stephen Crichton in the halves for Samoa was quickly hatched last week when it became clear Panthers teammate Jarome Luai would miss the Tests because of pending shoulder surgery.
Samoan coach Ben Gardiner, who is also an assistant at Penrith, named Crichton in the No. 6 jersey for the opening international against the Kangaroos on Saturday night.
Crichton was expected to start at fullback for the Pacific nation, but after a quick chat with the 23-year-old, Gardiner was more than confident the centre would handle the switch to the halves.
Luai remains an outside chance of making it to Townsville for the game, but will be there for moral support rather than a sounding board for Crichton.
Gardiner added five-eighth Tyrone May remained an outside chance to return for Samoa later in the Pacific Championships after contesting the Super League grand final with Catalans this weekend.
“Stephen is an elite player, and whenever he’s called upon to do whatever is required for his nation, he puts his hand up and goes about his business,” Gardiner told this masthead on Tuesday night. “Can we expect him to start there? Yes.
Crichton with Panthers and Samoa teammates Brian To’o and Jarome Luai after the grand final win.Credit: NRL Photos
“Defensively he’s exceptional, his communication skills are outstanding, and I think given that’s an area we’re a little bit short in, he brings a skill set that enables him to play as a running ball-player, which is what we want him to do.
“He won’t go out and try to be a half as such – he’ll go out and run the ball, which is his best game anyway. We spoke at length last week about Jarome being out and needing to have an elite player in the team in the key positions.
“Stephen is one of the best communicators in the NRL, he’s one of the most elite defenders, so to have him in the front line is a really big bonus for us.”
Crichton has played 100 games in the NRL, with most of those at centre and a handful on the wing and fullback, where he is expected to be given first crack at Canterbury next year. He has a booming left boot, and be given the licence to roam in attack.
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould is sure watch Crichton’s performance with interest, as it could potentially pave the way for Matt Burton to revert to the centres.
“He will have the licence to do what he needs to do, and he won’t be stationed on one side,” Gardiner said. “Defensively he will be, but he’ll be given a role as per any No.6 or fullback in the comp where they go where the organisation of the team takes them.
“I think rather than lean on ‘Romy’ [Luai] about the fine art of playing No. 6, he will lean on him as a mate and for moral support.
“They have a great togetherness about them, and they’ll obviously have a chat about it. But Romy is the type of guy who doesn’t try to bring his game style on to other people. He wants them to be themselves. Stephen plays the game his own way, and that’s what we’ll encourage him to do.”
Melbourne rookie Sua Fa’alogo will start at fullback, and Gardiner said he was impressed by the energy he had brought to camp.
“The great thing about Sua is he’s a very proud Samoan, and he’s been one of the young guys who has come into camp and led the way with energy and with some of our cultural activities and hymns we’ve been doing,” Gardiner said.
“I have every confidence in him going out and doing a fantastic job for him and his family and his country on Saturday night.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.