NRL 2024: Angus Crichton hints at rugby union switch, top 10 off-contract NRL players revealed

Ex-NSW and Australia star Angus Crichton has dropped his biggest hint yet that he will be following Joey Manu out of the Roosters. These are the NRL stars without a contract for 2025.

Angus Crichton art by Boo Bailey

Angus Crichton has given the biggest hint yet that he’ll leave the NRL at the end of the season, saying if he’s ever going to make a switch to rugby union the time is now.

In an honest peak into his mindset about the future, the ex-NSW and Australia star spoke about the lure of European rugby and why he won’t stay in the NRL just to chase cash.

“I think I need to do what’s right for myself and I guess I am coming to the age now where I am coming into my prime … I turned 28 this year,” he said.

“If I was going to jump codes it will be in the next little bit. If I am going to go over and play union I don’t want to go over washed up and waste anyone’s time, if I’m going to give union a crack I want to give it a good crack and I want to dominate that.

“If it’s the right opportunity I’m open to it.”

The Sydney Roosters forward is one of the top 10 players off contract at the end of the season in a list that now includes Dragons star Zac Lomax, Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu and teammate Joey Manu.

Manu is all but confirmed to be making a switch to rugby union next season and Crichton could follow him out the door.

Angus Crichton has a decision on his hands regarding his playing future. Art: Boo Bailey

It doesn’t come down to Roosters or rugby union, though.

“I’m open to all options,” he said.

“If rugby doesn’t get to where I want it to get to and the NRL is still a better option for myself and my future, I’m definitely happy to stay in the NRL, but if I am staying in the NRL you want to be winning.

“One of my best mates is playing over in the top 14 at the minute [in the south of France], one of my other best mates is playing over for Glasgow.

“I’ve visited him a few times and it’s pretty cool, the whole set up. But then if I was to leave the Roosters I would want to go to another great club that’s a premiership threat, I wouldn’t want to go and try to chase money, I want to win premierships if I’m playing in the NRL.”

Angus Crichton looks like he’s set to be lured to European rugby. Credit: NRL Images.

THE COMEBACK

For the second week in a row Crichton as been named to start after a long road back to the NRL.

A gut-wrenching mental health battle kept him sidelined for much of 2023 following the Rugby League World Cup, throwing his immediate future into uncertainty.

During it all, contract talks were the last thing on his mind.

“I wanted to get my footy back doing the talking before I started making any decisions, but I’m pretty open to everything to be honest,” he said.

“I’m open to exploring everything that’s out there and I’m still not too sure where I’ll end up but I think that’s the beauty of sport, is if you work hard enough it sort of looks after itself.

Angus Crichton was in the starting line-up for the first time this season against the Bulldogs. Credit: NRL Images.

“I’ve been working pretty hard behind closed doors to make sure my performances do the talking, even though I lost on the weekend [to the Bulldogs], for me, getting back into the starting team and playing 80 minutes on the edge there, it’s something I can start building on and hopefully in a couple of games I can work out where it will be.”

Hard work and the support of the club helped him find his place back in the team, as well as a better balance in his life.

“He’s worked hard, he’s in such a good spot, he’s in the best spot I’ve seen him in my time here,” said Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

“Both on and off the field. That’s come out on the field. He’s taken his time to play and to get back into the spot and then he owned it, I thought he was outstanding last weekend.”

CONTRACT TALKS

Both Crichton and the Roosters agree he needs to focus solely on football before any conversation about his future at the club.

“There’s no decision from our end, and so the future is on the line there for Angus, we’ve been quite clear with that and he knows the score there,” Robinson said.

“He’s going to keep fighting for that but you can see if he continues playing like that he’s got a future wherever he wants.”

This year is his sixth season with the Roosters after joining the club in 2019, the year they won the premiership.

For now, Crichton is focused on his footy and winning another premiership with the Roosters. Credit: NRL Images.

And to experience that feeling again is at the top of his priority list, aside from anything money could buy.

“So much has to go right to win a comp and I got lucky I had that taste in my first year in 2019,” he said.

“We’ve got some guys in key positions, guys who just missed out on that, guys like Lindsay [Collins]. But I think we have the team to do it, if this is going to be my last year here I want to go out with a bang and go out trying to achieve something special.

“[My priorities are] always continuing to better yourself and becoming a better player, a better person, a better athlete, all of that, I want to go into an environment where I’m going to succeed and get the best out of myself.

“For experiences, I’m keen to win, be in new environments, meet new people, new experiences, all of it really.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Angus Crichton hints at rugby union switch, top 10 off-contract NRL players revealed