Stephen Crichton will be playing in the halves for the first time in his senior career when Samoa take to the field against Australia on Saturday night.
Playing the majority of his 100-game NRL career between the wing and centres, Crichton has established himself as one of the greatest outside backs of his generation.
Despite having very limited experience with the ball in his hands, Crichton was a natural fullback in his junior days and was initially touted to take over from Penrith Panthers star Dylan Edwards, once he emerged in first grade.
Newly named Toa Samoa coach Ben Gardiner expressed his confidence in Crichton’s ability to open up his side’s attack and shed light on what style of play to expect from him come Saturday night.
“Stephen, as people would know is just an elite player, it’s a new position and challenge for him that he wants to take on, he wants to do it for his country,” Gardiner told SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I’ve told Stephen it’s not going to be to a ball playing half type position, it’s running half position, he has a bit of free rein to get the ball in his hands wherever he can throughout the game.
“Run the ball, that’s what I’m saying to him, do what you do normally.”
Gardiner praised Crichton’s defensive efforts and brushed off any concerns of him playing in a new position when holding out an opposing side.
“It’s great for him to play in the front line defensively because he’s definitely one of the elite outside back defenders in the competition,” Gardiner added.
“He brings great experience, but he also brings great communication for us in the front line, he’s done a great job this week as you would expect.
“Things like this take time to get combinations together but we've kept it really simple so when they do come together on the field things come together easily for them.
“(It’s) a new pairing but we’re really excited about it that’s for sure.”
Crichton will make his official debut as a six when Samoa takes on Australia in the first game of the Pacific Championships on Saturday night in Townsville.
