‘I was emotional’: Angus Crichton still unsure on his next career move as Roosters look to re-sign rep star

Angus Crichton is in no rush to sign his next contract, with the Blues star holding no grudges towards the Roosters for trying to sign David Fifita.

Angus Crichton is still weighing up his next career move Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Sydney Roosters star Angus Crichton says there’s “no update” on his contract stats for next year in the wake of his club’s aborted attempt to sign David Fifita.

The NSW back-rower accepted there was nothing personal in his club’s pursuit of Fifita before the deal fell through.

Crichton, 28, is off contract at the end of the season and is the best edge forward still on the market.

Discussions with Roosters supremo Nick Politis have ramped up in recent weeks, but he is yet to put pen to paper on an extension.

Angus Crichton is back in the Blues side but his future remains undecided. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“My manager has spoken with Nick and they’re trying to figure something out,” Crichton said.

“I’m not going to rush it. I just need to focus on playing good footy and let the rest look after itself.”

Crichton made it clear that he didn’t want to play second fiddle to anyone at club level after it came out that the Roosters had signed Fifita from the Titans, only for the powerhouse forward to backflip on the deal.

The Roosters star spoke openly about the situation at the time and made it clear he was unimpressed with how it had played out and that no one had spoken to him about what was going on.

He has since cooled off and says he has no issues with the club or coach Trent Robinson.

“I was emotional, and there was a bit of a build up so I kind of said it how it was and spoke from the heart,” he said.

“There’s no love that’s lost for the club. The club has given me so much. I understand at the end of the day that it’s a business and it’s not personal.

“We (Robinson and Crichton) sat down and had a chat after that. I’ll keep that confidential, but we talked after that (interview) and we’ve got a good relationship and we’re in a good place now.”

The Roosters thought David Fifita was joining them next year before he changed his mind. Picture: NRL Photos

The Fifita move caught plenty of people by surprise, with the Tricolours looking to land a big fish with established stars Joseph Manu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves finishing up at the end of the year.

Their pursuit of the Titans star would’ve made more sense at the start of the year when Crichton was stuck in reserve grade and then had to come off the bench before he exploded back into form to reclaim his Blues jersey.

“It’s a funny one because I think at the start of the year they were looking to the future and I don’t think they were keen to re-sign me,” he said.

“I’m obviously playing good footy now and they’re keen to re-sign me again.

“I can’t be upset with the club for trying to look after the club and sort out a position that they didn’t know was going to be taken.

“It’s a business, it’s not personal, and with recruitment, that’s just how it is.”

Crichton has been in damaging form for the Roosters. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Returning to the Origin arena for the first time since 2022 won’t influence what Crichton does next, with other NRL clubs circling, while a move to overseas rugby is also on the cards.

“I love league and the NRL, and this sport has given me my whole life as an adult. I’m so grateful that I made the decision to come across,” he said.

“Playing in big games like this is why you play. I’m super excited to put the jersey on and get back in that arena, but I’m not going to rush anything. I don’t think there’s a massive rush for me to make any decisions quickly.

“I’ll sit back and see what comes across before I make a decision.”

Originally published as ‘I was emotional’: Angus Crichton still unsure on his next career move as Roosters look to re-sign rep star