Cross-code signing Angus Crichton visited the Wallabies at their London training base on Friday after carrying a foot injury through the Roosters' NRL premiership run and being told to rest instead.
Crichton, who signed a deal with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs in January for the 2027-28 seasons, officially became a professional rugby player last week. He is on holiday in London with his wife Chloe.
Coach Les Kiss said the 30-year-old caught up with former Roosters teammate Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. Kiss said Crichton would return to Australia to work into preparation with the Waratahs, and that he had shared brief coaching insights with him on body-height changes between the codes.
Kiss also provided an update on Mark Nawaqanitawase, saying the winger had decided to play in Japan. “He’s made his decision to play in Japan and get his feet under the table back in rugby,” Kiss said. He said the Wallabies were not desperate to have Nawaqanitawase in the World Cup squad, emphasising a team-first ethos and that players must earn their positions.
The pay dispute between Rugby Australia and the Rugby Union Players Association has not been a distraction for the squad, according to Kiss and senior Wallaby Jeremy Williams. Williams said the players had not spoken about it and expected it to resolve itself.
Lions star Will Ashcroft, a friend of Wallabies captain Harry Wilson, also attended the training session.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Angus Crichton's transition from NRL star to Wallaby is one of the most closely watched cross-code moves in Australian rugby, and his recovery timeline will shape his availability.
- The unresolved status of Mark Nawaqanitawase, another high-profile cross-code recruit, leaves a potential vacancy on the Wallabies' wing for the World Cup.
- The ongoing pay dispute between Rugby Australia and the players' union creates a financial backdrop that could affect squad harmony, though players currently downplay its impact.
Background
Angus Crichton is a former Sydney Roosters, NSW Blues and Australian Kangaroos representative who signed a two-year deal with Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs in early 2026. The Wallabies are currently on a spring tour of the northern hemisphere, preparing for international fixtures including a match against England. Mark Nawaqanitawase is also a cross-code recruit who has previously represented Australia in rugby sevens and played in the NRL.
Key Perspectives
Les Kiss: Wallabies head coach who welcomed Crichton's visit, dismissed suggestions of desperation regarding Nawaqanitawase, and stated the pay war has not been a distraction for the team.
Jeremy Williams: Senior Wallaby who said the pay dispute has not been discussed among the players and is expected to resolve itself without affecting their focus.
What to Watch
- Whether Crichton's foot injury delays his formal integration into the Waratahs program.
- The reception Nawaqanitawase gets in Japan and whether he pushes for a Wallabies call-up in 2027.
- The outcome of the RUPA-Rugby Australia pay negotiations and whether they resurface as a distraction.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedCrichton visited Wallabies training despite a foot injury.The Age - Latest News: “after carrying a foot injury through the Roosters’ run to the 2026 NRL premiership, the 30-year-old was told to rest instead. That didn’t stop Crichton from popping into Wallabies training”
- SupportedKiss provided updates on Nawaqanitawase’s Japan move and the Wallabies’ focus.The Age - Latest News: “coach Les Kiss gave more insight into Mark Nawaqanitawase’s mindset.”
- SupportedCrichton visited the Wallabies at their London training base on Friday.The Age - Latest News: “Cross-code signing Angus Crichton took his first steps as a potential Wallaby in London on Friday”
- SupportedCrichton carried a foot injury through the Roosters’ NRL premiership run and was told to rest instead.The Age - Latest News: “after carrying a foot injury through the Roosters’ run to the 2026 NRL premiership, the 30-year-old was told to rest instead.”
- SupportedCrichton signed a deal with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs in January for the 2027–28 seasons.The Age - Latest News: “11 months after signing a deal for 2027-28 with Rugby Australia and the Waratahs in January.”
- SupportedCrichton officially became a professional rugby player last week.The Age - Latest News: “officially became a professional rugby player last week”
- SupportedKiss said Nawaqanitawase had decided to play in Japan: “He’s made his decision to play in Japan and get his feet under the table back in rugby.”The Age - Latest News: ““He’s made his decision to play in Japan and get his feet under the table back in rugby.””
- SupportedKiss said the Wallabies were not desperate to have Nawaqanitawase in their World Cup squad.The Age - Latest News: “Kiss rejected a question about whether the Wallabies were “desperate” to get the flying winger into their squad for the World Cup. “We’re not desperate.””
- SupportedKiss emphasised a team-first ethos and said players must earn their positions.The Age - Latest News: “We’re about team-first, and he talked about team-first and the ethos that he knows he has from his last clubs”
- SupportedKiss and Jeremy Williams said the pay dispute had not distracted the squad.The Age - Latest News: “The increasingly bitter pay war between Rugby Australia and the Rugby Union Players Association has not been a distraction, according to Kiss and senior Wallaby Jeremy Williams.”
- SupportedWilliams said the players had not discussed the dispute and expected it to sort itself out.The Age - Latest News: ““That kind of stuff will just sort itself out. It’s not something we’ve spoken about here.””
- SupportedWill Ashcroft attended the Wallabies training session.The Age - Latest News: “Lions star Will Ashcroft, who is good mates with Wallabies captain Harry Wilson, also attended training.”