‘Unforgivable’: Aussie second rower Angus Crichton’s ‘under-9s’ blunder savaged

Kangaroos second-rower Angus Crichton has been savaged by rugby league fans after one of the worst bombed tries of the season.

Australia have claimed some revenge for last years’ embarrassing Pacific Championship final loss with a gritty 22-10 win over a more than willing New Zealand in Christchurch.

Australia went into last years’ final as the hot favourites, but were wiped off the park in a 30-0 drubbing.

Right from the kick-off, it was clear it wasn’t going to be a repeat performance.

Watch every Pacific Championship game LIVE on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Coming off a scrappy 18-0 win over Tonga in the opening match of the tournament, Australia booked its place in the November 10 final at Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium as Mitchell Moses cross eight minutes from full-time to seal the result.

It means next week’s match between New Zealand and Tonga at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium will be effectively a winner-takes-all clash for the second spot in the final.

Coach Mal Meninga said was the biggest Test match the Kangaroos played in 30 years and Australia showed it was taking it seriously, crossing the line after just four minutes.

However, the try was disallowed when second rower Angus Crichton, who juggled the pass before seemingly putting it down, was revealed to have dropped it when he went to slam the ball down.

The commentators couldn’t help but roast the Roosters star.

“Don’t tell me he's dropped the ball … oh he has,” Mat Thompson said on Nine.

“Isn’t that what they teach you in under-9s? Don’t put it down with one hand.”

Rookie mistake. Photo: Fox Sports

Former Kangaroos captain Brad Fittler said it was a simple way to avoid the blunder: “Wherever possible, just dive.”

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns found the funny side, saying: “Is that the one where he’s only got half a finger? Blame that.

“The punishment for that is you’ve got to wrestle the coach.”

Crichton famously amputated the middle finger on his left hand after rupturing a tendon that refused to heal earlier in his career — however he can’t use Johns’ excuse as he tried to ground it with his right hand.

Fans couldn’t believe what they had seen.

“Angus Crichton had one of the worst bombed tries I have seen. No one around him. All he needs to do is put the ball on the ground on and he fumbles it,” one fan posted.

Another suggested: “Crichton will be buying the drinks tonight.”

A third added: “Probably Crichton half finger.”

A fourth commented: “Crichton only has 9 fingers give him that try.”

A fifth replied: “Crichton should be fined, dropped and forced to run laps for 3 hours. “That is un-f**kin-forgivable.”

Mitch Moses wrapped up the match. Photo: Fox Sports

The Kiwis had a spine-tingling haka before the match. Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images

While the no try decision was a blow, it wasn’t anywhere near fatal as Lindsay Collins opened the scoring — albeit 11 minutes later.

But New Zealand weren’t about to go away, scoring through Jamayne Isaako, before Zac Lomax showed brilliant strength to cross in the corner to make it 12-6.

A second Lomax try made it 16-6 but the Kiwis hit straight back, as Will Warbrick beat the Kangaroos winger with a slick move down the short side.

It set up a grandstand finish, but eight minutes from time, a long-range try which saw fullback Dylan Edwards burst through the line before putting Moses over for the winner sealed the result.

With Martin Gabor, Newswire

Originally published as ‘Unforgivable’: Aussie second rower Angus Crichton’s ‘under-9s’ blunder savaged