Angus Crichton in telling admission about Roosters after David Fifita signing at NRL club

Angus Crichton has made the eye-opening claim that no one at the Roosters spoke to him before the club agreed to sign NRL superstar David Fifita, and indicated he will not be interested in playing second fiddle to the Titans forward next season. Fifita will join the Roosters from next season after signing a four-year deal worth around $3.3 and turning down a rival offer from Penrith in the process.

The Roosters won the race for the highly sought-after Titans and Maroons edge forward, who will add a menacing new dimension to the Tri Colours from next season. However, it does present a curious situation at the Roosters from 2025, with the club suddenly finding themselves stacked with quality edge forwards such as Sitili Tupouniua, Victor Radley and Nat Butcher - who are all signed until 2027.

And then of course there is Crichton, who plays on the left edge like Fifita and has been arguably the NRL's best second-rower so far this season. Crichton's resurgence this year after taking time away from the game to deal with mental health issues last season has been incredible and its rocketed him firmly into State of Origin contention for the Blues.

But the 28-year-old - who is off contract at the end of this season - admits the signing of Fifita took him off guard and that no one at the Roosters discussed his own future before signing his rival edge forward from the Gold Coast. Bearing in mind that both players occupy the same position, Crichton made it clear he was not interested in "sitting behind anyone" in the pecking order and suggested he could be forced to explore opportunities elsewhere.

Angus Crichton responds to David Fifita signing at Roosters

"I don't want to be sitting behind anyone," Crichton said. "If there's an opportunity that makes sense (elsewhere), then I'll definitely look at it. I'm not going to rush it, especially with the Fifita stuff that's come out now. That's a good enough reason for me to take my time, and make smart decisions."

Roosters coach Trent Robinson admitted that Fifita's signing meant it could be harder to retain Crichton, who has been linked to a move to rugby union. Robinson hasn't closed the door on retaining Crichton and could potentially play Fifita on the right edge like he has previously done at the Titans. Regardless, Crichton took a not so subtle swipe at the Roosters and said nobody at the club had discussed his future with him yet.

"I probably won't go looking for him (Robinson), but if he wants to talk to me he knows where to find me," Crichton said about his coach. "It does make you question where their head's at. No one's talked to me, which is funny. Last I heard they were keen (to re-sign me), but then obviously that (Fifita news) comes out. It's an interesting one and something I'll have to monitor.

"All I can do is play good footy and keep putting my hand up to be there on the left. No one's talked to me, and I'm not sure if they will." The admission from Crichton will no doubt set off alarm bells around the NRL, and could potentially spark a bidding war for his services for next season and onwards.

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Penrith could turn to Angus Crichton after missing David Fifita

Having missed out on signing Fifita themselves, the cashed-up Panthers would be an obvious contender to poach Crichton, having already made an enquiry previously. The 2019 premiership winner would likely want to head there as a second-rower, believing playing exclusively on an edge is part of the reason behind his return to form this year.

"It was tough last year coming in, I was underdone (after personal issues), and I was sort of playing a bit in the middle which isn't my spot," Crichton added. "Even at the start of this year Robbo wanted to give those other boys first crack at the edges, which was his decision.

"In the trial he played me at prop, I'm not a prop. I'm an out-and-out backrower so forcing his hand and making him put me there and playing me 80 (minutes), I've been able to get that consistency."

with AAP