Angus Crichton will swap rugby league for rugby union next year as he chases. A childhood dream of representing the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup 2027 on home soil, Rugby Australia confirmed on Wednesday. One of the most consistent forwards in the NRL. Crichton has been a standout performer for the Sydney Roosters. New South Wales Blues and the Australian Kangaroos in recent seasons.
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Known for his strong running, physical presence and work rate on the edge. The 29-year-old is now preparing for a new challenge in the 15-man game. A sport he played extensively as a junior and schoolboy. Crichton is expected to join the NSW Waratahs in Super Rugby. Where he is likely to be used either in the back row or potentially at inside center. Depending on how quickly he adapts to the union’s different demands.
While most high-profile code-switchers in recent years have been outside backs. Crichton represents a rarer case as a forward making the transition. It’s incredibly exciting to be returning to the sport I played throughout my childhood, Crichton said in a statement. I grew up with a Wallabies jersey and a poster on my wall. Besides my dream was always to represent Australia in rugby union.
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I’m in a position now where I can genuinely chase that goal, and 2027 gives me something huge to work towards. Crichton’s move comes at a time when Rugby Australia is actively targeting elite league talent as it builds towards hosting the Rugby World Cup. He will not be alone in making the transition, with Sydney Roosters teammate Mark Nawaqanitawase also set to join him in switching codes.

Nawaqanitawase, a former Wallabies winger, impressed in his first full NRL season last year, scoring 24 tries and becoming one of the competition’s most dangerous finishers. Another former Roosters player, Joseph Suaali’i, made headlines with his move to rugby union just over a year ago, while current Wallabies back Andrew Kellaway was also a schoolmate of Crichton.
At Sydney’s prestigious Scots College, a school renowned for producing elite rugby talent. Together, their journeys highlight the increasingly fluid pathway between league and union in Australia. Crichton’s decision is particularly intriguing because forwards Rugby World Cup.
Have traditionally found it harder to make a seamless transition between the two codes. While backs often benefit from transferable skills such as speed, evasion and finishing ability, forwards must adapt to the union’s complex breakdown laws, set-piece responsibilities and slower tempo around contact.
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However, Crichton’s background in the union, along with his athleticism and professionalism, gives him a strong foundation. Perhaps the most famous example of a forward making the switch successfully is Sonny Bill Williams, who transitioned from the NRL to Rugby World Cup Final union and went on to win two Rugby World Cups with the All Blacks, primarily playing in the centers.

On the other hand, England star Sam Burgess struggled to make a lasting impact after switching codes ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final. Crichton’s journey is likely to sit somewhere between those two stories, depending on how quickly he adapts to the union’s technical demands. Waratahs coach Dan McKellar believes Crichton has all the attributes needed to succeed.
He’s the ultimate professional who will bring a high level of physicality and edge to the group, McKellar said. With his rugby union background, I’m confident he’ll adapt quickly and be ready to go when he arrives.
For Crichton, the move represents both a professional challenge and a deeply personal one. After establishing himself as one of the NRL’s premier second-rowers, he now faces the task of learning new systems, laws and positional responsibilities, all while competing against established Super Rugby and Wallabies players for selection.
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Crichton Eyes Wallabies Gold in Rugby World Cup Semi-Final Push
Yet, the chance to pull on the gold jersey and represent Australia at a Rugby World Cup semi-final in front of home fans appears to be motivation enough. I know this won’t be easy, Crichton said. But I’ve always believed the best opportunities come from stepping outside your comfort zone. I’m excited to get stuck in, learn as much as I can, and do everything possible to put myself in the frame for the Wallabies.

With two years to prove himself before the 2027 tournament, Crichton’s transition will be closely watched by fans of both codes. If successful, he could become one of the most significant league-to-union converts in Australian rugby history and a powerful asset for a Wallabies side eager to regain momentum on the world stage.
Crichton’s switch marks another bold move in Australian rugby’s push to strengthen its talent pool ahead of a home World Cup. While the transition from league to union will test his adaptability and patience, his experience, work ethic and competitive edge give him every chance to succeed. As he begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether one of the NRL’s most respected forwards can turn a lifelong dream into a defining moment in the Wallabies gold Rugby World Cup Semi-Final.
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