Crichton credits NSW Cup for part of his revival
The Round Two match in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup between the Sydney Roosters and Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles proved to Westpac NSW Blues back-rower Angus Crichton he was back on track with his football.
It was Crichton’s first Rugby League match in six months.
And next Wednesday (5 June) he will enjoy his first Ampol State of Origin match in two years.
“I’m just excited. It’s obviously special to be back in this arena,” Crichton told nswrl.com.au
“I’ve worked hard to get back here and now I just can’t wait to do the jersey proud.”
Sunday 17 March had Crichton on the team bus to 4 Pines Park to face the Sea Eagles. His previous NSW Cup match was back in August last year against the Western Suburbs Magpies.
“I just felt good playing that game at Manly,” he said, which the Roosters won 34-12.
“It was the first game, pretty much, since the World Cup (November 2022) where I felt like myself and fit and strong.
“It was the best I’d felt in a long time, but it did come off the back of a lot of work in the pre-season.”
The 28-year-old was back in the NRL side the following week for Round Three and has been on fire of late with six tries in the last five games for the Roosters.
It has been a welcome return to form for Crichton and will earn him his 13th Origin appearance next week at Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Game One of the 2024 series.
His last Origin was Game Three in 2022.
“For me I feel the best is yet to come, which is exciting,” Crichton said.
“I’m still walking off the field with bits I need to improve on but I feel excited by that – to keep working and keep growing.”
It has been a game of patience and diligence. Crichton has never been one to listen to external noise.
He had confidence he would not only enjoy Rugby League again, but get back to representative level.
“I have that internal drive to want to perform not just for myself, but for my family.
“I never lost that.”
His return to the Origin squad in 2024 is almost a South Sydney reunion camp.
Crichton played with Cam McInnes at the Rabbitohs in 2016, under coach Michael Maguire.
“Cam was around when I first started learning the game over there at Souths. We both played under Madge and now the old crew is back together again almost 10 years later – it’s crazy.
“I haven’t played with Cam for a while but he’s an Origin type of player. I look forward to lining up alongside him. He never lets anyone down.”