Mat Rogers' advice for rugby-bound star Crichton

Dual international Mat Rogers believes Angus Crichton will be “phenomenal” when he joins Rugby Australia, but concedes the back rower should try join this season for the best chance at success.

Crichton has signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia starting in 2027 in a bid to represent the Wallabies at next year’s home World Cup.

It will bring an end to Crichton’s time in the NRL, where he’s won a premiership, multiple Origin series, and a rugby league World Cup across his decade-long career.

However, it marks a return to rugby union, which Crichton grew up playing as an elite schoolboy.

Crichton will represent the Waratahs in the Super Rugby as he pushes for his international cap and is expected to be a member of the squad alongside former and current Roosters’ teammates Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Finishing up in the NRL in October, there is a chance Crichton still represents the Kangaroos in the end-of-year rugby league world cup held across Australia, New Zealand, and PNG.

If he plays for the Kangaroos, it will mean Crichton wouldn’t be able to shift his attention to the Waratahs and Wallabies until mid-November at the earliest, 11 months out from the start of the Rugby World Cup.

Mat Rogers, who represented the Kangaroos and Wallabies over his 17-year career, believes Crichton will be a success in the 15-man game, but believes to be truly ready for the Rugby World Cup, he should swap codes now.

“He's a rugby kid and he would have (had this) in the back of his mind, and this is a great catalyst, a home World Cup,” Rogers said on SENQ Sportsday.

“To be honest, and Roosters fans are going to hate this, I wish he'd get a release right now to get this year of rugby under his belt because he's going to be phenomenal.

“I don't think Rugby Australia will get the best version of Angus Crichton, the rugby player, next year if he starts next year.

“Think of… the strength in depth in the squad that we would have, and the quality of those players… I'm excited for it, I really am.

“He doesn't owe rugby league or anything… I think he's the best back rower in the game at the moment.

“He's going to drag a lot of eyeballs over there.

“Crichton was a freak (as a junior)... and that transferred into (the) NRL.

“At the end of the day, he's going to go back there and probably play with some players he played with as a kid, getting involved with the game that he grew up loving… and now he gets the opportunity to go back and go to a World Cup as well.”

Crichton begins his season for the Roosters against the Warriors on March 8.