Angus Crichton facing two-match ban after forearm to the head of Chanel Harris-Tavita
Angus Crichton is set to miss the start of next season following his forearm to the head of Chanel Harris-Tavita. Find out how many Roosters games he could miss.
Angus Crichton is set to miss the start of next season after being charged for his forearm to the head of Chanel Harris-Tavita by the World Cup match review committee.
Crichton was charged with a grade B reckless strike, leaving him facing a two-match ban that he would serve when he returned to the Sydney Roosters.
Harris-Tavita was knocked out and played no further part in the World Cup final after the Crichton blow, prompting Samoa coach Matt Parish to suggest he should have been sent off.
That stance was slammed by Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga and a remorseful Crichton apologised to Harris-Tavita, his family and the entire Samoan community immediately after the game, insisting it was an accident.
Crichton also revealed he was planning to travel to Amsterdam with Harris-Tavita and others after the final.
“First and foremost I was worried about him,” Crichton said.
“He is a great player and I am actually meant to be travelling with him after this. There is no bad blood between me and Chanel.
“We talked after the game and we know there is all love there. It was honestly a genuine freak accident.
“I never want anyone to get injured on the field like that, especially knockouts. Two of my great mates in Jackie Friend and Boyd Cordner, it has ruined their careers.
“So I never want to injure anyone. That was not my intention at all. So anyone I have upset, anyone in his family, anyone in the Samoan community that I have upset, I am genuinely sorry for that because it was not my intention.
“I am looking forward to hanging out with him. I want to get the message across and I want to let his family know that I am genuinely sorry, I want to let the Samoan community know that there was no malice in it.”
‘DUMBFOUNDED’: REF SLAMMED FOR WEAK CALL ON FREAK HIT
Kangaroos forward Angus Crichton has apologised to the family of Chanel Harris-Tavita and the entire Samoan community for the tackle that prematurely ended the hooker’s night in the World Cup final.
Crichton was sin-binned and placed on report after his forearm contacted Harris-Tavita — Samoan coach Matt Parish claimed he should have been sent off - but spoke with genuine remorse after the game as one of the greatest moments of his career was tainted by an unfortunate accident.
Crichton also revealed he was planning to travel to Amsterdam with Harris-Tavita and others after the final.
“First and foremost I was worried about him,” Crichton said.
“He is a great player and I am actually meant to be travelling with him after this. There is no bad blood between me and Chanel.
“We talked after the game and we know there is all love there. It was honestly a genuine freak accident.
“I never want anyone to get injured on the field like that, especially knockouts. Two of my great mates in Jackie Friend and Boyd Cordner, it has ruined their careers.
“So I never want to injure anyone. That was not my intention at all. So anyone I have upset, anyone in his family, anyone in the Samoan community that I have upset, I am genuinely sorry for that because it was not my intention.
“I am looking forward to hanging out with him. I want to get the message across and I want to let his family know that I am genuinely sorry, I want to let the Samoan community know that there was no malice in it.”
Parish was ropeable that Crichton was allowed to return to the action, taking aim at referee Ashley Klein.
“Five minutes into the second half our hooker gets elbowed in the head and gets carted off,” Parish said.
“The referee makes a weak decision and puts him in the bin. Dumbfounded.”
Asked whether it was a poor decision, Parish said: “An elbow to the head and the hooker gets taken out of the game. What do you think.”
If Crichton is charged by the match review committee, he is likely to miss the start of next for the Sydney Roosters.
Samoan captain Junior Paulo was comfortable with the decision.
“Knowing Angus Crichton, I have been playing [against] him for a while now, it is probably not in his game,” Paulo said.
“So it is what it is.”
Told of Parish’s comments, Australian coach Mal Meninga said:“My view is that he should have stayed on the field, that’s just silly”.
Crichton was thankful to Paulo for the support.
“Obviously I have known Junior a long time and I am great mates with Junior,” Crichton said.
“It is all love between me and Chanel.He knows whenever I play football, I don’t try to injure anyone or try to hurt anyone. I know I am a good person.
“I play the game the way the game is meant to be played.”
Despite his troubles in the final, Crichton emerged from the World Cup with his reputation enhanced after playing a prominent role for the Kangaroos throughout the tournament.
“It is amazing,” he said.
“To be over on the other side of the world in front of my mum and dad, it was an amazing experience.
“I loved every moment for sure. It has been a huge honour to be able to represent Australia. To play under Mal (Meninga) has given me a lot of confidence.
“Obviously today wasn’t the game that I planned on playing but it was the game that occurred and I am just happy we came away with the win.
“It was a great moment in my career.”
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