The Sydney Roosters have long been unapologetic in their pursuit of rugby union talent.
Now it seems the tables are turning, quickly, with the carrot of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027 leading to the departure of yet another star.
According to reports in Code Sports, the long-feared defection of former rugby schoolboy gun Angus Crichton has been sealed with the 29-year-old Kangaroos and NSW Origin star agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs.
The move means Crichton will become the second Sydney Roosters star to depart the club for rugby union at the end of the 2026 NRL season following Mark Nawaqanitawase—and could potentially be the third former Rooster to feature for the Wallabies at the 2027 World Cup alongside backline phenom Joseph Sua'ali'i.
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Kiwi star Joseph Manu also departed the Roosters to link with Japanese club rugby at the end of the 2024 NRL season and currently plays in France.
While Crichton may be changing codes and colours, his home ground will remain the same given the NSW Waratahs also play their home games at Allianz Stadium.
Not without some irony, the Roosters’ latest rugby switch comes at a time when former NSW Waratahs and Wallabies boss Michael Cheika has only recently joined the NRL club as an assistant to Trent Robinson.
Rugby Australia and the Sydney Roosters are yet to officially comment.