Crichton reveals why he turned his back on Force with career at the crossroads

If not for Angus Crichton’s defiance, he could be spending Monday helping NSW prepare for State of Origin rather than training for it.

Two days out from Origin II, the Blues will head to the future home of the Perth Bears at HBF Park to ramp up preparations for Wednesday night.

There, NSW will run an opposed session against members of Western Australia’s state team, with players from the Western Force Super Rugby Pacific club also called in.

And among them could easily have been Crichton, given the second-rower’s high-profile talks over an immediate code switch to the franchise in late 2023.

“It was very close,” a candid Crichton said.

“I didn’t want to go. It was more the writing was on the wall for me at the Roosters and it didn’t look like my spot was going to be there for me.

“I still had a (Roosters) contract at the time, and I said to my manager I don’t want to go anywhere.

“He said they have told me you need to move on and that was going to be the best option for me, to go there.

“I was pretty close, but I am very happy I am here in a Blues jersey for sure.”

Crichton’s soured dealings with Rugby Australia were well publicised.

But the 29-year-old is adamant he never wanted to leave the Roosters ahead of what already loomed as a mass exodus at the NRL club in 2024.

“I was saying to my manager I don’t care if they don’t want me, I just want to stay and be part of these guys’ last year,” Crichton said.

“I didn’t want to go out after having the season I did in 2023.

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“I wanted to go out and giving my best performance and make sure people remember me as the player I am, not the player I was in 2023.”

Crichton ultimately won out, fought his way out of reserve grade, had a career-best year for the Roosters and was NSW’s best in their series win and earned a new deal.

Talk of another potential Perth move is, however, not out of the question.

Wednesday night’s Origin will bring with it a spotlight on the Bears’ admission in 2027.

Mal Meninga has been named as coach, and Crichton can see the lure. But while he won’t shut the door on Perth, his preference is to stay with the Tricolours.

“My priority is to stay at the Roosters, but you’re always open to whatever,” Crichton said.

“I’ve played under Mal … You know he has been there, done it, been a legend of the game.

“He is a big personality, I feel like he just loves the game as well. He is a great fit to grow the game.”