NRL news: Roosters close to Angus Crichton deal, Isaiah Papali’i to join Penrith Panthers in 2025

The Roosters are close to finalising a contract extension for Angus Crichton while the Penrith Panthers have pounced securing Wests Tigers backrower Isaiah Papali’i.

Angus Crichton of the Roosters celebrates scoring a try. Roosters v Warriors NRL R10 Roosters v Warriors at Allianz Stadium. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The Roosters are closing in on extending Angus Crichton’s time at the club after putting together a two-year contract extension for the in-form back-rower.

Crichton, who is on the brink of an Origin recall, wants to remain at the Roosters and the two parties progressed in their talks after the club met with Crichton’s management late last week.

Rival clubs – including Canterbury – have been told that Crichton’s priority is to extend his time at the Roosters but if those talks dissolve he would place himself on the open market. Crichton was also open to a code switch and had held talks with French club Montpellier about joining them when his NRL commitments end.

Angus Crichton of the Roosters celebrates scoring a try. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Crichton’s future was further complicated and he was threatened with being squeezed out by the Roosters after they made an ambitious rich play for David Fifita. But following Fifita’s backflip, the Roosters now have the salary cap space available to accommodate Crichton.

Crichton, 28, has produced career best form this season after a turbulent 2023 season. He is expected to play for NSW after missing last year’s series.

Crichton opened up about his troubles last season during a Lets Trot podcast with former NRL star Josh Mansour.

“I didn’t read into many of the stories,” Crichton said. “I understand there were some WhatsApp texts getting around. I’ve been told a couple of them which are so far from reality.

“I had a relationship that broke down while I was over (in the UK). I couldn’t sleep.

Crichton is understood to be keen to stay at the Roosters. Picture: Getty Images

“The World Cup had just started, it was breaking down. And I had to call it off over there. You don’t want to let anyone down like that.

“I was visiting my best friend in France. I couldn’t sleep I thought I was being myself but I wasn’t. I was there but I wasn’t. I was stone-called sober. I hadn’t touched any substances or alcohol.

“I got taken by an ambulance to a hospital. They were speaking French so I didn’t know what was going on.

“They were injecting me with stuff. I remember my tongue was hard, I couldn’t talk. My parents were so worried about me. I thought I was fine.”

While the Crichton situation is closer to being resolved, his Roosters teammate Sitili Tupouniua remains on the open market.

PANTHERS POACH STAR FROM WESTS TIGERS

Penrith have secured Wests Tigers back-rower Isaiah Papali’i on a three-year deal from next season.

This masthead revealed on Wednesday that the Kiwi international had been granted a release from the final year of his deal.

He will link up with Panthers from next season with the money the Panthers had to replace New Zealand Warriors-bound forward James Fisher-Harris.

David Fifita opted against joining the Panthers earlier this month when he decided to join the Sydney Roosters, only to do an about-face during the contract cooling-off period and remain with the Gold Coast.

Papali’i was formally granted permission to leave the club more than a month ago and since then discussions have heated up with the relevant parties.

The 25-year-old is on a contract worth about $750,000 at the Tigers, who are preparing to undergo a roster overhaul.

Isaiah Papali'i is set to join the Panthers.

PANTHERS PRAISE ‘WORLD CLASS’ RECRUIT

The Panthers confirmed Papali’i’s signing on Thursday morning.

“We’re thrilled to have secured Isaiah’s services for the next three seasons,” Panthers CEO of football Matt Cameron said.

“Not only does Isaiah bring a wealth of experience and leadership capabilities to our club, but he’s also a world-class forward who has proven himself at the highest level.”

Panthers general manager of rugby league Shane Elford added: “Isaiah is a talented player, displaying not only exceptional skills but also a great attitude and work ethic.

“We believe he will thrive in the Panthers system and we’re eager to see his continued career progression at our club.”

Jayden Sullivan is another Tiger who may be given permission to leave. Picture: Getty Images

TIGERS ROSTER FACES OVERHAUL

The likes of Jayden Sullivan, Charlie Staines and Brent Naden could also be on the chopping block, despite also being under contract for next season.

Former St George Illawarra half Sullivan is only months into a four-year deal worth $500,000 a season.

Sullivan is an obvious candidate to be allowed to leave given the Tigers have Lachlan Galvin and Latu Fainu on their books and Penrith’s Jarome Luai is due to join the club from Penrith next season.

Tigers boss Shane Richardson jetted out of the country on Tuesday night for the UK as he looks to the Super League to help fix some of the Tigers’ issues.

The club is desperate to shuffle some of their pieces before next season and will explore all avenues to rebuild their roster.

They need to clear space first and they may require Super League clubs to help them. Richardson is well connected in the UK and will spend the next week exploring options to shed players to Super League, as well as recruit if they can create some roster room and salary cap space.

Papali’i will be looking to rediscover the form he showed in his two seasons at Parramatta, where he won Dally M second rower of the year in 2021 and then helped the Eels to a grand final — against Penrith — a season after.

He originally agreed to join the Tigers to play under then-New Zealand Test coach Michael Maguire, but never got the chance as he was replaced by Tim Sheens and then Benji Marshall.