Series of leaks killed Roosters NRL star Angus Crichton’s Rugby Australia

Angus Crichton’s switch to rugby union has been dealt a blow following a series of leaks, but there may still be a path to the 15-man game for the Sydney Roosters star.

Angus Crichton’s talks with Rugby Australia have dramatically collapsed but his switch to rugby union may not be dead in the water as his manager prepares to kick off direct talks with the Western Force.

Crichton was widely expected to take up a two year deal with the Force with the support of Rugby Australia, who had spruiked his signing as part of an assault on the NRL and some of their biggest names.

However, the deal collapsed on Sunday night when RA withdrew their offer, casting a fresh spotlight on their negotiating tactics and their ability to reinvigorate the code under the leadership of Hamish McLennan.

McLennan has beaten his chest about raiding rugby league as part of a plan to revive rugby union, announcing as recently as last week that he still harboured hopes of signing a handful of NRL stars.

Those claims now look foolish given the collapse of talks with Crichton’s camp and the nature of the failed negotiation, which came amid claims of breaches of trust and broken promises.

This masthead understands that Crichton’s camp were set to walk away from negotiations after becoming frustrated with the manner of RA’s contract discussions and constant media leaks.

Rugby Australia has pulled their offer for Angus Crichton. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Sources close to Crichton suggested that when RA became aware of their frustrations, they withdrew their offer to save face. Crichton is currently overseas as a spectator at the rugby union World Cup but his manager David Rawlings conceded he was bitterly disappointed with the way negotiations had played out.

“It’s disappointing but perhaps not surprising that we walked away,” Rawlings said.

“I’d suggest it’s a missed opportunity for rugby, at this time particularly. Angus is an experienced athlete with strong rugby pedigree that has performed at the highest-level.

“He’s developed through and excelled in a high performing system at the Roosters, with NSW Origin and the Kangaroos.

“There was genuine desire to play for the Wallabies which is why we went through the front-door at the Roosters and asked for consideration to explore.

“The chairman went public on occasions with his intent to sign Angus and was quoted as stating (they) ‘could easily afford’ to do so.

“Perhaps that sentiment has now changed since it was reported that private equity was no longer available. We feel the whole process over time became disingenuous and cumbersome - I questioned it.

Angus Crichton was a Blues mainstay. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty

The Roosters had granted Crichton permission to explore his options given he had another year remaining on his deal at the club. RA’s talks with the Crichton camp started more than two months ago but reached a crescendo in recent weeks and there was genuine belief that Crichton would switch codes.

Roosters skipper James Tedesco said he was unaware of where Crichton may play next year, although the NSW and Australian back rower has another year remaining on his deal with the club.

“I haven’t spoken to him yet,” Tedesco said.

““He is away at the moment. It’s all external stuff. I haven’t had any conversations with Gus or anyone at the Roosters. I am not too sure.”

The Roosters are in a tight salary cap situation. They have re-signed the likes of Connor Watson and Billy Smith but are yet to announce new deals for the pair.

They believed that cap strain would be eased with Crichton’s departure and for a long time it looked likely that the ARU would give them a hand.

The talks became strained last week after Rawlings received an offer from RA on Tuesday to join the Western Force - there had earlier been talk about spending a year in Perth and then the second year at the Waratahs.

Three days later, Rawlings received a phone call from the ARU accusing him of leaking the story to the media. By that point, the Crichton camp was already becoming concerned about the progress of talks and requested a best and final offer by Friday.

Rugby Australia bosses Phil Waugh (L) and Hamish McLennan. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP

On Friday, the original offer was sent back at 11pm and Crichton was given a week to accept. The offer was lacking in detail and the belief is that RA knew it would not be accepted, having received backlash from within the game over spending money on league players with the code in such dire straits.

On Sunday, while Rawlings was at the grand final, he received a phone call from RA saying they were ready to withdraw the offer. Rawlings requested something in writing and it arrived soon after, signalling the death of the Crichton talks.

Rawlings said his only sympathies lied with the Force.

“The Western Force had laid out a well thought plan, under a strong coach to ensure he could develop into a world-class 12/13 under their stewardship,” he said.

“I feel for the Force.”

Originally published as Series of leaks killed Roosters NRL star Angus Crichton’s Rugby Australia