Big-money bid launched to snare Roosters forward

His time at the Roosters could be coming to an end.

The Australian Rugby Union have reportedly offered Angus Crichton enormous money to switch to the 15-man game.

Rugby Australia have been targetting NRL players to make a code switch in the last 18 months as they prepare for the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025, and a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.

So far though, the majority of players on a reported hitlist have elected to stay with the NRL. They include Cameron Murray, Will Penisini and Nelson Asofa-Solomona who have all re-signed with their current clubs in recent times.

Angus Crichton is yet to sort his future out though. On contract with the Roosters until the end of 2024, The Sydney Morning Herald are reporting that the second-rower, who sat out the first part of 2023 as he sought treatment for his mental health, has been offered $800,000 per year to make a two-year switch to rugby union.

The Wallabies, who are currently struggling at the World Cup, are still on the lookout for talent and it’s believed the package for Crichton would see him play for the Western Force at domestic level as he pushes for a national jersey.

According to previous reports, the Roosters would not consider releasing Crichton to any other NRL club, but would potentially allow him to walk out of the last year of his contract if he wants to make a code switch.

The Roosters have already lost Joseph Suaalii from the end of the 2024 season after he was signed on a monster deal by Rugby Australia.

If Crichton makes the switch to rugby union, his initial contract would see him only on board for long enough to cover the British and Irish Lions tour, with performance likely to dictate whether he has a chance to play in the pinnacle of the sport.

The now 27-year-old has a substantial history in rugby union, having played the sport as a junior.

 

 

 

 

Brett Morris set for new coaching gig

He is currently an assistant coach at the Roosters.

Brett Morris is reportedly set for a new coaching gig at the Sydney Roosters after joining the coaching staff two seasons ago.

Joining the Sydney Roosters coaching staff in 2022 after his retirement from rugby league, Brett Morris is set for a promotion. Currently an assistant coach with the club, he is set to have two roles with the Roosters next season.

Sydney Roosters life member and Roosters Hall of Fame selection committee member Alan Katzmann has revealed that Brett Morris will become the club’s new NSW Cup coach.

This will see Morris replace Anthony Barnes. Barnes was promoted to the NSW Cup head coaching role after a long stint looking after the Jersey Flegg team. It is unknown if Barnes will remain at the club in another role.

Like most NSW Cup coaches, he will likely stay on as an assistant coach too, under Trent Robinson for the first-grade team, with the likes of Matt King, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend.

The former New South Wales and Australian winger had a glittering career, spending much of it at the top of the tree when it came to wingers at the top of the sport.

The 34-year-old has played 276 games across stints with the Dragons, Bulldogs and Roosters as well as having a persistent representation with the NSW Blues and at an international with the Kangaroos.

“Brett played more than 300 NRL and representative games and he has an astute mind with a genuine care for making the players around him better,” Trent Robinson said in 2021 after Morris joined the coaching staff for the following season.

“I’ve been fortunate to be able to observe Brett’s keen eye in video sessions and out on the field both at training and in games over the last three years and I’m looking forward to him applying his knowledge and contributing to our development at the Sydney Roosters in 2022.”