Report: Sydney Roosters star linked to switch to the 15-man game….
He was linked to switch to the 15-man game.
After recently being linked to a move to rugby union from the NRL, negotiations between Sydney Roosters forward Angus Crichton and Rugby Australia have reportedly broken down.
The reports from The Roar come after Crichton was linked to a move to the 15-man game following Rugby Australia poaching club teammate Joseph Suaalii on a monster deal beginning at the end of the 2024 season.
The breakdown between the two parties comes after three months of negotiations where multiple deadlines were reportedly missed.
Contracted with the Sydney Roosters until the end of the 2024 season, The Sydney Morning Herald reported last month that the second-rower was offered $800,000 per year to make a two-year switch to rugby union.
Despite the breakdown involving Crichton, Rugby Australia Chief Executive Phil Waugh remains open to targeting rugby league players but insists the Wallabies don’t need to poach any more stars from the NRL.
“I don’t think so,” Waugh told reporters on Monday, via The Roar.
“I think what we need to do is with those players who have just entered their international career [is consider] how do we actually get more competitive games?
“One of the challenges we have with Super Rugby Pacific is we’re probably playing the same style of rugby against New Zealand teams as Australians, what we really miss is that variation which South Africa brought and what northern hemisphere teams bring.
“I think there’s a piece around how do we get a bit more creative in creating opportunities to play against different styles of teams and the British and Irish Lions is going to be a huge challenge when you look at the growth of the north over the last period of time.”
Rugby Australia have been targeting 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.
‘Chop the top off’: NRLW star may amputate part of toe to extend rugby league career
Sydney Roosters and Jillaroos star Jessica Sergis is prepared to lose part of her toe in order to extend her rugby league career.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraphin readiness for the Jillaroos clash against the New Zealand Ferns in Townsville on Saturday night, the tough-as-teak 26-year-old says a broken toe has caused her havoc since she sustained the injury in last year’s World Cup Final, despite already undergoing surgery.
“We have to get in there and clean it out or chop the top off. My toes are ugly anyway. A toe is a toe,” Sergis said.
“I didn’t know it was broken. I thought it was infected. I was taking all this stuff to bring the infection down. I got home and had scans and then surgery a few days later.
“I’m still having issues with it. I still can’t fit in shoes. I have to go up in sizes. It’s really annoying.
“It is my left pinky toe. It looks like my big toe to be honest. It’s fat and swollen. If I get stood on it absolutely aches.
“I feel like it’s a bit broken. I had a week off during pre-season and was in hospital for five days because we thought it was infected.”
Sergis says her situation could potentially be similar to that of Roosters forward Angus Crichton, who had half of his finger amputated back in 2017 to ensure he could continue on with his career.
“Angus can cut off a finger, I can cut off a toe,” she said.
Sergis is preparing to go under the knife again later this month, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Sergis will start in the centres for the Jillaroos on Saturday night, as they open up the inaugural Pacific Championships.
