{"id":444267,"date":"2026-01-29T03:16:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T03:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/444267\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T03:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T03:16:13","slug":"joseph-aukuso-suaalii-reacts-to-nrl-star-angus-crichtons-rugby-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/444267\/","title":{"rendered":"Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii reacts to NRL star Angus Crichton\u2019s rugby deal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii believes former Sydney Roosters teammate Angus Crichton has enough time to push for a spot in the Wallabies\u2019 Rugby World Cup squad, with the NRL star set to switch codes ahead of the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific<\/a> season.<\/p>\n

Rugby Australia<\/a> announced last week that Crichton, who has played representative rugby league for the New South Wales Blues<\/a> and Australia Kangaroos, has committed to a two-year deal with the governing body and the NSW Waratahs.<\/p>\n

Crichton was selected in the Australia Schoolboys squads in 2013 and 2014 before taking up a deal in the NRL with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The forward would later switch to the Roosters ahead of the 2019 NRL season.<\/p>\n

The Roosters won the NRL Premiership that season, with Crichton making 26 appearances for the Tricolours during their run to title-winning glory. Crichton has since become a Rugby League World Cup winner (2021) and a four-time State of Origin series winner.<\/p>\n

Suaalii was asked on Wednesday whether Crichton has enough time to make the Wallabies before the World Cup, replying with two words initially: \u201cI believe.\u201d \u00a0The two played on the same edge together at the Roosters before Suaalii switched to union ahead of the 2024 Spring Tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could feel the buzz around the group from the boys, to have someone, such a high calibre player (sign with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs),\u201d Suaalii told reporters.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlayed Origin, played for Australia, he\u2019s done so many things in the game of rugby league. It\u2019s exciting to see where he\u2019s going to play and what he\u2019s going to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith his work ethic and the person that he is, he\u2019ll kill it.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery stage I\u2019ve played at for the Roosters and I played one game of Origin, he was always there, part of my journey and he\u2019s always been a great leader.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor him to come across, I\u2019ve always seen him as a great leader and a great person to play footy with, and a great person off the field. For him to come across, it\u2019s quite exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Crichton received the Wally Lewis Medal in 2024 as State of Origin\u2019s player of the series. New South Wales<\/a> lifted the shield that season, bouncing back from a 1-0 series deficit to win games two and three away from NSW.<\/p>\n

The second-rower played more than 20 matches for the Roosters in 2025, crossing for five tries and finishing the season with more than 91 per cent tackle efficiency. Crichton showcased some playmaking by forcing two drop outs and making four linebreaks.<\/p>\n

While Crichton\u2019s position in rugby union is yet to be made official, multiple media outlets have suggested that inside centre is on the cards. The Wallabies had Len Ikitau<\/a> and Suaalii in the midfield last season, but increasing the competition for places is never a bad thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s one of the toughest players I\u2019ve played with. He knows how to play the game, he\u2019s a smart footy player but tough, one of the toughest players I\u2019ve played with,\u201d Suaalii explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the key going into the World Cup, you want to be fighting for positions,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith our flankers, with our props, with our backs, you can see the depth we have.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what you want. You want in-house competition for the best team. I think all positions are up for grabs; it\u2019s just who wants it more.\u201d<\/p>\n

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