Australian Kangaroos and New South Wales Blues boss Angus Crichton is set to become the latest NRL star to leave the Sydney Roosters after agreeing to a rugby union code change.
Crichton has signed a two-year contract with Rugby Australia and the New South Wales Waratahs, with his contract starting at the end of the 2026 NRL season.
Rugby Australia confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday.
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The move will make him eligible to play for the Australian Wallabies in the upcoming 2027 Rugby World Cup.
However, according to code sports There is reportedly an option on the second year of his new contract, meaning he could return to the NRL as early as the 2028 season.
Crichton will be 32 by then and the World Cup will end in November. He could then return to rugby league and take part in the club’s pre-season campaign.
That club could be the Roosters, with the Tricolors reportedly open to his return.
Crichton was excited about the chance to return to rugby union and aim to qualify for the 2027 Wallabies World Cup.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be able to return to the sport I played as a child,” Crichton said.
“Growing up in Young, I have great memories of driving to Canberra by bus with other farmers and their families every year for the Tars vs Brumbies match.
“It’s special to have the opportunity to play in the same Waratahs jersey as my favorite rugby player as a kid, Lotte Tuqiri.
“I grew up with a Wallabies jersey and posters on my wall, so it was always my dream to represent the Wallabies one day.
“I will be in a position to pursue that dream in 2027 and would like to thank Rugby Australia and the Waratahs for giving me that opportunity, as well as acknowledge and express my gratitude for a fantastic career in the NRL.”
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“I am delighted to have confirmed my plans for this season and beyond and look forward to focusing fully on the upcoming campaign with my Roosters teammates and family.”
RA chief executive Phil Waugh was excited to welcome Crichton back to the sport he played as a junior.
“We’re excited to be able to bring Angus back to rugby ahead of the important 2027 season, which will be highlighted by a once-in-a-generation home Rugby World Cup,” Waugh said.
“Angus has excelled as a rugby player from schoolboy to junior level and we believe he will make a significant contribution to the performance and culture of Australian rugby.
“He has developed into an elite talent and leader in rugby league and has had the opportunity to showcase his talents on the unique global platform that rugby provides.”
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Meanwhile, RA Director of High Performance Peter Horne emphasized the importance of signing Crichton ahead of the 2027 World Cup year.
“Signing Angus is an important step in adding depth across Australia’s Super Rugby Pacific squad and continuing to ensure internal competition for international selection,” Horne said.
“Angus has deep ties to rugby union as a former Australian Schoolboys international and has always played at the highest level of the league.
“We look forward to welcoming him back to rugby and bringing his unique experience and skill set to our environment from next season.”
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Crichton, a member of the 2014 Australian Schoolboys Rugby Union team, has been constantly linked to the 15-a-side rule over the past six months and admitted late last year that he was leaning towards moving to 15-a-side.
He will be used as a midfield option for the Waratahs, and his move to the Union will see him follow in the footsteps of former teammate Joseph Suaali’i and current teammate Mark Nawakanitawase and pursue his dream of playing in the 2027 World Cup.
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Crichton made his NRL debut in 2016 and made around 200 appearances for the Rabbitohs and Roosters, as well as 17 Tests for the New South Wales Blues and 11 Tests for Australia.
Former Australian Schoolboys international Crichton returned to rugby union after a highly successful decade in the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters, during which he won interstate and international honors.
Crichton, 29, will join the Waratahs ahead of the 2027 Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific season and will compete as part of the Wallabies squad for their home Rugby World Cup later that year.
A graduate of The Scots College, Crichton was a member of the school’s GPS Championship winning teams in 2013 and 2014, was an Australian Schoolboys selection in both years, and played alongside top talent such as Waratah Andrew Kellaway.