“No, Max is here for a bit,” Suaalii said. “I love the Sydney Roosters. I’ve loved that club ever since I got there. I still do. But hopefully they don’t take Max. He’s been killing it here. He’s a superstar, and he just keeps on getting better and better.”
While Jorgensen is not switching to league, Suaalii believes the flow of talent coming to union from the NRL may increase following Crichton’s move.
The Wallabies celebrate Max Jorgensen’s stunning try in the third Lions Test.Credit: Getty Images
Suaalii said he had not spoken to Crichton about his decision before the deal was done, but as former schoolboy rugby stars, the pair had often spoken while at the Roosters about a shared desire to play union again.
“Every time I’ve spoken to Angus, he’s always said he’s loved rugby. It’s a pleasure for him to come across. I think everyone’s very, very excited,” Suaalii said.
“He has a presence about him. He trains hard, he makes your teammates better around him. That’s his special ability to make everyone better around him. He has that presence that you can’t get from anywhere else.
“You can feel the buzz around the group, from the boys.”
Crichton will exit the Roosters following the 2026 season after signing with Rugby Australia in a bid to play for the Wallabies.Credit: NRL Photos
It’s more trickle than flood at the moment, but the stream of NRL players moving to union has been enough to fuel online and talkback debate. Along with Suaalii and Crichton, Mark Nawaqanitawase is also set to return to rugby at the end of 2026, and Carter Gordon went back last year. Zac Lomax is also still contemplating a move to Super Rugby.
Those movements have been mostly driven by Australia hosting the Rugby World Cup next year, and the fact all – bar Lomax – were previously rugby players. But that’s also the case with many young players in the NRL, who grew up playing both codes.
Asked if his and Crichton’s switch to rugby could prompt other league players to move, Suaalii said: “Yes, you could say that. I feel like you see one person do it, the possibility comes.
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“When I was at league, I watched Israel Folau go across. I watched even Wendell Sailor going across. Even Karmichael Hunt. You see boys go across, and you’re like, why not, I can do that as well.
“I feel like that’s been a key factor for a lot of young kids coming through, and even older players as well, saying, why not, I can do it as well.”
Suaalii lauded Crichton as a great leader and person, and “one of the toughest players I have played with”. He said he believed one season would be enough for the forward to find his feet in rugby and make the Wallabies’ World Cup squad, but also recommended Crichton follow the same path he took and go on the spring tour at the end of the year.
“For myself, I feel like you want to get thrown into the deep water straight away; I feel like that’s where you either sink or swim,” Suaalii said. “For myself, I feel like it was a great thing for me to learn the game straight away.”
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar named his side for their opening trial against Queensland on Saturday in Brisbane, with Suaalii among five Wallabies players not considered. Recruit Harry Potter is the only Wallaby who will suit up, with a 30-man squad dominated by players who have done the entire pre-season.
