Taking centre-stage: Critta ready to star in familiar role
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Stephen Crichton has declared his stint in the halves has made him a better player as he prepares return to the centres for Samoa's IRL Rugby League World Cup campaign.
The Canterbury skipper shifted to five-eighth midway through a challenging NRL season as coach Cameron Ciraldo searched for answers to spark the Bulldogs struggling attack.
The move prompted an immediate response and Crichton played a key role in a late-season resurgence but Canterbury ultimately fell short of a finals finish.
Captain Critta seals the deal
The 26-year-old has taken plenty of lessons from the experience as he returns to the centres for Samoa's World Cup opener against France on Friday night.
"It's taken my game to another level now going back to centre," Crichton said. "Not just in attack but defensively as well.
"What you're thinking as a halfback and what I can do now as a centre to help that person, because I've been in that position and I know how hard it is to be tackling backrowers.
"Whoever I'm defending next to, I know what they're thinking, what I need to do to help them and vice versa. If I was to go back to halfback, [I know] what the centre can do to help me as well. It's elevated my game to the next level."
Given the tournament structure, Friday's clash at CommBank Stadium looms as a must-win for Samoa as they look to recreate their historic run to the final in 2022.
Crichton kicked an extra-time field goal to sink England in the semi-final for years ago, prompting jubilant scenes in Samoan communities around the world.
The rugby league players immediately became national heroes with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson giving a shoutout on social media that reached millions of people online.
Crichton puts Samoa in the final!
Crichton can already feel a groundswell of support leading into Friday's match, with a handful of players travelling to Samoa for an official parade and more than a thousand supporters turning out for a fan day in last week.
Samoa's week three clash with Tonga has already sold out, with Friday's match the only other chance for supporters to watch their side play in Sydney during the tournament.
"Ever since I represented Samoa in the 2022 World Cup, we didn't know how much support we had behind us until we started winning," Crichton said. "That's where the expectation comes from now.
"Being [in Australia], people can come and watch us live and everyone's got that expectation that we have to make it again. Talking to the boys, it's about staying present and taking it all in.
"The fans come out and pay money to watch us play so we'll give that energy back to them especially at the fan days. It's cool seeing all the videos and parades and the best way to celebrate is to win. That's what we're out to do."
Samoa's World Cup campaign has provided Crichton with a chance to reunite with former Penrith teammates Brian To'o, Spencer Leniu and Jarome Luai.
Samoa-eligible players tries of the week
The quartet have won 15 NRL premierships between them and played a key role in the nation's run to the 2022 final.
Leniu and Luai will link up at Parramatta next season before Luai and To'o join the PNG Chiefs for their inaugural campaign in 2028.
Samoa will travel to Papua New Guinea to take on the Kumuls next Saturday, with the pair expected to be treated like royalty by the rugby league mad nation.
Crichton watched his close friend Luai endure a challenging year on and off the field but has already noticed a change in the halfback's mindset since coming into camp.
"I'm always keen to not just reconnect with [Luai] but Spenny and Bizza as well," Crichton said. "This is the only time along with Origin where we can play together.
"Since coming into camp it's been a special bond. I can see the fire in Romy's eyes to prove a lot of people wrong. I'll be right next to him proving them wrong too."
Don't miss out on your chance to watch Samoa in Friday's double-header at CommBank Stadium. The men kick off at 5.45pm before the Samoan women take on the Jillaroos in a prime-time showdown at 8.05pm. Tickets available from just $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
