NRL 2021: Angus Crichton vows to help Joseph Suaalii through early days at Roosters

Star forward Angus Crichton has opened up about his early days at Bondi and vowed to help Joseph Suaalii through the daunting experience of being a Rooster.

Sydney Roosters new signing Joseph Suaalii. Picture: Roosters Digital

Star forward Angus Crichton will take it upon himself to help teen prodigy and fellow Rabbitohs defector Joseph Suaalii through the daunting experience of joining NRL heavyweights Sydney Roosters.

Crichton has opened up on his early days at the Bondi club, after switching from arch-rivals South Sydney, and why he’s determined to help Suaalii make a smooth transition.

“I came in and I was a bit shy, I was in a new team and a new environment at a superstar club where you want to try and find how you can add to an already such great team,” Crichton said.

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Sydney Roosters new signing Joseph Suaalii. Picture: Roosters Digital

But the backrower, who was on Monday afternoon selected on the bench in the Kangaroos Merit team, pledged to guide Suaalii through the process over the summer after the rising back ended a messy contract saga by signing a two-year deal with South Sydney’s arch-rivals.

“I always try my best with the younger guys or the new guys that are coming in because it is a tough thing to walk into a team,” Crichton said.

“Any team is tough, but the Roosters is definitely tough to walk into.

“I haven’t met him yet but I heard he is a good boy, a good kid. I’ve heard he’s a great footy player and an absolute athlete so I look forward to meeting him and [helping] make his home the Roosters.”

Angus Crichton has been selected on the bench for the Kangaroos. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Crichton was one of four Roosters players selected in the Kangaroos side including James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Boyd Cordner, who was also named as captain of the Green and Gold.

While Crichton said he had been in constant contact with Cordner during the off-season, the 24-year-old insisted that his club, state and national team skipper was yet to make a decision about his immediate playing future.

Cordner stepped down from the final two State of Origin matches after suffering a concussion in the series opener — the latest in a series of worrying head knocks.

“I’ve spoken to him a bit … obviously you don’t like to see head knocks in sport at all, especially when it is one of your good mates,” Crichton said.

“It’s not very nice to watch but I spoke to him but he’s in good spirits and he’s feeling good. I don’t know if he’s talked to doctors yet. I think he just wants to let it simmer a bit, step back from footy, get his head away from footy and enjoy the off-season. I’m sure whatever decision he makes it will be the right one and I‘ll be there supporting him the whole way.”

Boyd Cordner is considering his future after a series of serious head injuries.

Cordner’s battle with head knocks have led to calls for him to consider walking away from rugby league.

“I can’t comment on that [retirement] but whatever decision he makes, I have no doubt he’ll do it to the best of his ability and yeah he’s a strong minded guy.” Crichton said.

“He’s a warrior on the field and we all see that and we all love that. If Boyd can stay in our game then that’s a big win for all of us.”

As well as Crichton, Kangaroos selector Laurie Daley also announced four other players in the merit side that have yet to represent Australia at Test level — Nathan Cleary, Christian Welch, Ryan Pepenhuyzen and Tino Fa’asumaleaui.

The NRL is planning a Test match for the Kangaroos before the Rugby League World Cup in England in October next year. But at this stage there is no fixture locked in for the 2021 calendar.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo also told The Daily Telegraph the governing body and the RLPA have been undertaking “constructive talks” over proposed changes to the CBA, which include a proposed cut to the salary cap of five to 7.5 per cent in season 2021.

A deal between the parties is expected to made in the coming days.

KANGAROOS MERIT TEAM

1. James Tedesco

2. Josh Addo-Carr

3. Dane Gagai

4. Jack Wighton

5. Daniel Tupou

6. Cameron Munster

7. Nathan Cleary

8. Josh Papalii

9. Damien Cook

10. Christian Welch

11. Boyd Cordner (Captain)

12. Felise Kaufusi

13. Cameron Murray

14. Ryan Papenhuyzen

15. Payne Hass

16. Angus Crichton

17. Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui

Originally published as NRL 2021: Angus Crichton vows to help Joseph Suaalii through early days at Roosters