- RA made an offer to Roosters forward on September 28
- His manager has confirmed that the offer has been withdrawn
- Teammate Joseph Suaalii has already defected
Rugby Australia has sensationally withdrawn its offer to NRL star Angus Crichton just days after throwing money at him to deviate from the rival code.
The governing body has tabled a $1.6 million bid for the 2024 and 2025 seasons for the Roosters forward to play for Perth-based Western Force in Super Rugby and the Wallabies.
Crichton will be signed to the Roosters next year but the club gave him the thumbs up to explore opportunities outside rugby league.
Crichton was a standout rugby player for the prestigious Scots College in Sydney before joining the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and then moving to the Roosters in 2019.
Had Crichton signed, Rugby Australia would have wanted him to play for the Western Force – and for the Wallabies under coach Eddie Jones (pictured)
The 27-year-old was a rugby prodigy at the prestigious Scots College in Sydney’s east before signing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs when he finished high school.
He then joined the Tricolors in 2019 and won a premiership that season under coach Trent Robinson.
His manager David Rawlings confirmed the withdrawal of the offer on Tuesday afternoon.
Rugby Australia had faced criticism from its member unions for making the offer, the said Sydney Morning Herald.
Crichton is currently in France for the Rugby World Cup and it is understood the Western Force would have used him as a back-rower or center had he made the move.
Wallabies halfback Nic White and five-eighth Ben Donaldson are two big names who have confirmed they will head to Western Australia to play under Cron next season.
The 27-year-old (pictured left during Roosters training with teammate Sam Walker) is contracted to his NRL club for 2024 but the team gave him the thumbs up to explore other options
Crichton’s teammate Joseph Suaalii (pictured playing the ball against Cronulla) has already defected and will switch codes in 2025
Crichton was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in February and was sidelined until April.
“Angus is receiving appropriate professional support and treatment for the medically diagnosed bipolar disorder that he has been dealing with for some time,” his Charlie Crichton said at the time.
“He is fully supported by his family, his management and the Sydney Roosters club as he works towards recovery.”
Crichton’s Roosters teammate Joseph Suaalii has already switched to the union, signing a $1.6 million per season deal that will see him switch from 2025.
He is set to play for the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby and represent the Wallabies, with the British and Irish Lions Tour a major draw that year as Rugby Australia hunted for his signature.
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