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He is looking forward to a reunion with Joseph-Aukuso Suaali, but Angus Crichton’s first point of contact will be Michael Cheika when he returns to rugby for the first time in over a decade.
For various reasons.
In a twist of fate that Crichton sees as a blessing, Cheika will rejoin NSW Waratahs as a coach for Super 2027 Rugby Pacific season after two seasons as an assistant with the Sydney Roosters.
Chejka, who wandered the world, spent a quarter of a century decorating his own rugby CV while working in endless clubs from Padua to Randwick, Leinster to Leicester, French Stadium and at national level with the Wallabies and Pumas.
Crichton, however, last played a 15-man game at Scottish College before signing for South Sydney as an 18-year-old in 2014, when Cheika coached the Tahs to their one and only Super crown.
Little wonder then that the 17-time State of Origin member from NSW plans to rely heavily on Cheik during his transition after meeting the chief motivator at the Roosters.
“He’ll be fine. He’s a legend of a guy and he’s a great coach, and he’s especially great.” rugby coach,” Crichton told AAP.
“Being here will definitely benefit me, because he understands a little more about the league and that I’m not out (rugby) plays so long.
“He’ll be able to help me bounce back and learn something faster than I would without him.”
A former Australian schoolboy, Crichton played in the centers before moving to the league.
The 30-year-old could form a lethal midfield pairing, for both the Waratahs and potentially the Wallabies, with his counterpart Suaalii.
“I’m looking forward to it and it’s exciting and it’s going to be great, but if you look too far ahead, you’re going to fall,” said Crichton, still firmly focused on his Roosters duties.
Whatever position he plays, the 2019 NRL premiership winner is relishing the opportunity to continue working with Cheika.
“The way he is with the boys and the person he is, he’s a great character,” Crichton said.
“You see a lot of head coaches get super serious and kind of lose the fun side of the sport.
“That side rugby The league is such a big part of it, the locker room, the relationships you make and the memories you have, and he’s such a good energy and just a good guy to be around, joke around, laugh with.”
The Waratahs’ newest league recruit is “not at all” surprised to see Cheik return to the rugby.
“He’s pretty much the perfect guy for the job,” he said. “So I had a feeling they would probably come looking for him.”
Crichton, still recovering from foot surgery three months ago, has signed a contract to join the Waratahs on November 7, just not ruling the classy back-rower out of the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
But he could still be invited Australia A’s two-match tour USA next month, or for the Wallabies’ spring tour of Europe in November.
“I’m so focused on what’s in front of me this week and I’m not looking too far ahead yet. I know after the season I’ll have a few solid weeks to prepare for next year,” he said.
“So we’ll figure out where I need to be.”
