Latest news with #Crichton
The Advertiser
15 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Blues reveal 'secret weapon' after Origin 1 success
Battered NSW centre Stephen Crichton has been in the wars but credits his teammates and the medical staff for his star defensive performance in Origin I. The Bulldogs captain twisted his elbow in a tackle on Wednesday night after overcoming a quad complaint in the build-up. The star centre made 16 tackles and had one try assist in an 80-minute performance that looked unlikely when he hobbled from the training field on Monday. Crichton says it wouldn't have been possible for him to play his starring role without the work done by Blues trainers and the confidence shown by his teammates that his body was ready for the demands of Origin. "On game day it was just a box tick, I was ready to go," Crichton said on Thursday. "The boys just getting around me as well and giving me that confidence too. "We've got elite physios that got me ready 48 hours before the game and they gave confidence to me to go out and do my job." Another Blues star under a pre-game injury cloud was player of the match Payne Haas, who dominated the middle of the Queensland defence despite carrying a quad strain. Crichton was full of praise for the Brisbane forward and said his power running contributions were vital to the continued success of the Blues. "He's been the best front rower throughout the year and I'm so happy he's representing NSW and he's a part of our team," Crichton said. "It's always nice running off the back of his carries, he's always scattering in as well so it's good to have him in the team." Crichton was quick to laugh off speculation he had done significant damage to his elbow and said a lighter club load would have him fit and firing for game two. "I think I just twisted it (his elbow) in one of the tackles but it's good now," Crichton said. "Obviously going into a bye now so got a long turnaround to look after it." Crichton's former Panthers teammate Brian To'o said the Blues were pleased with the game one win, but not resting on their laurels before a trip to Perth, where NSW have dominated their two previous games. "It's obviously pretty exciting, a wonderful opportunity as well," To'o told AAP. "It was obviously a really scrappy game yesterday but really happy with the win and still things to improve." Battered NSW centre Stephen Crichton has been in the wars but credits his teammates and the medical staff for his star defensive performance in Origin I. The Bulldogs captain twisted his elbow in a tackle on Wednesday night after overcoming a quad complaint in the build-up. The star centre made 16 tackles and had one try assist in an 80-minute performance that looked unlikely when he hobbled from the training field on Monday. Crichton says it wouldn't have been possible for him to play his starring role without the work done by Blues trainers and the confidence shown by his teammates that his body was ready for the demands of Origin. "On game day it was just a box tick, I was ready to go," Crichton said on Thursday. "The boys just getting around me as well and giving me that confidence too. "We've got elite physios that got me ready 48 hours before the game and they gave confidence to me to go out and do my job." Another Blues star under a pre-game injury cloud was player of the match Payne Haas, who dominated the middle of the Queensland defence despite carrying a quad strain. Crichton was full of praise for the Brisbane forward and said his power running contributions were vital to the continued success of the Blues. "He's been the best front rower throughout the year and I'm so happy he's representing NSW and he's a part of our team," Crichton said. "It's always nice running off the back of his carries, he's always scattering in as well so it's good to have him in the team." Crichton was quick to laugh off speculation he had done significant damage to his elbow and said a lighter club load would have him fit and firing for game two. "I think I just twisted it (his elbow) in one of the tackles but it's good now," Crichton said. "Obviously going into a bye now so got a long turnaround to look after it." Crichton's former Panthers teammate Brian To'o said the Blues were pleased with the game one win, but not resting on their laurels before a trip to Perth, where NSW have dominated their two previous games. "It's obviously pretty exciting, a wonderful opportunity as well," To'o told AAP. "It was obviously a really scrappy game yesterday but really happy with the win and still things to improve." Battered NSW centre Stephen Crichton has been in the wars but credits his teammates and the medical staff for his star defensive performance in Origin I. The Bulldogs captain twisted his elbow in a tackle on Wednesday night after overcoming a quad complaint in the build-up. The star centre made 16 tackles and had one try assist in an 80-minute performance that looked unlikely when he hobbled from the training field on Monday. Crichton says it wouldn't have been possible for him to play his starring role without the work done by Blues trainers and the confidence shown by his teammates that his body was ready for the demands of Origin. "On game day it was just a box tick, I was ready to go," Crichton said on Thursday. "The boys just getting around me as well and giving me that confidence too. "We've got elite physios that got me ready 48 hours before the game and they gave confidence to me to go out and do my job." Another Blues star under a pre-game injury cloud was player of the match Payne Haas, who dominated the middle of the Queensland defence despite carrying a quad strain. Crichton was full of praise for the Brisbane forward and said his power running contributions were vital to the continued success of the Blues. "He's been the best front rower throughout the year and I'm so happy he's representing NSW and he's a part of our team," Crichton said. "It's always nice running off the back of his carries, he's always scattering in as well so it's good to have him in the team." Crichton was quick to laugh off speculation he had done significant damage to his elbow and said a lighter club load would have him fit and firing for game two. "I think I just twisted it (his elbow) in one of the tackles but it's good now," Crichton said. "Obviously going into a bye now so got a long turnaround to look after it." Crichton's former Panthers teammate Brian To'o said the Blues were pleased with the game one win, but not resting on their laurels before a trip to Perth, where NSW have dominated their two previous games. "It's obviously pretty exciting, a wonderful opportunity as well," To'o told AAP. "It was obviously a really scrappy game yesterday but really happy with the win and still things to improve."
Perth Now
a day ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Blues reveal 'secret weapon' after Origin 1 success
Battered NSW centre Stephen Crichton has been in the wars but credits his teammates and the medical staff for his star defensive performance in Origin I. The Bulldogs captain twisted his elbow in a tackle on Wednesday night after overcoming a quad complaint in the build-up. The star centre made 16 tackles and had one try assist in an 80-minute performance that looked unlikely when he hobbled from the training field on Monday. Crichton says it wouldn't have been possible for him to play his starring role without the work done by Blues trainers and the confidence shown by his teammates that his body was ready for the demands of Origin. "On game day it was just a box tick, I was ready to go," Crichton said on Thursday. "The boys just getting around me as well and giving me that confidence too. "We've got elite physios that got me ready 48 hours before the game and they gave confidence to me to go out and do my job." Another Blues star under a pre-game injury cloud was player of the match Payne Haas, who dominated the middle of the Queensland defence despite carrying a quad strain. Crichton was full of praise for the Brisbane forward and said his power running contributions were vital to the continued success of the Blues. "He's been the best front rower throughout the year and I'm so happy he's representing NSW and he's a part of our team," Crichton said. "It's always nice running off the back of his carries, he's always scattering in as well so it's good to have him in the team." Crichton was quick to laugh off speculation he had done significant damage to his elbow and said a lighter club load would have him fit and firing for game two. "I think I just twisted it (his elbow) in one of the tackles but it's good now," Crichton said. "Obviously going into a bye now so got a long turnaround to look after it." Crichton's former Panthers teammate Brian To'o said the Blues were pleased with the game one win, but not resting on their laurels before a trip to Perth, where NSW have dominated their two previous games. "It's obviously pretty exciting, a wonderful opportunity as well," To'o told AAP. "It was obviously a really scrappy game yesterday but really happy with the win and still things to improve."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stephen Crichton makes mockery of Andrew Johns snub after legend's Trbojevic call
Stephen Crichton showed why he is considered the best centre in the game having caused havoc on the right side for NSW and his performance has made a mockery of Blues legend Andrew Johns' selection call. Crichton won the plaudits from fans in State of Origin Game 1 after stamping his authority on a hapless Queensland side. The NSW forwards - led by Payne Haas - dominated the middle of the field with Zac Lomax and Brian To'o continuing the momentum on the kick returns to leave Queensland pinned in their own half for large ports of the game. And while Crichton was a major doubt leading into the game with a corked thigh, the centre showed no signs of injury when taking to the field. Crichton recorded the try assist for the first four-pointer having dodged the onrushing Queensland defence and threw a bullet pass to Lomax to open the scoring. The Bulldogs centre was steely in defence as well having made a number of crucial tackles to deny Queensland's dangerous left edge. NSW coach Laurie Daley knew how important Crichton was to the team and gave him right up until the day of the game at Suncorp to play. And Crichton repaid the faith of his coach with a trademark performance. However, his efforts also made a mockery of Johns' selection call ahead of Game 1. Johns might be one of the brightest minds in the game, but he snubbed Crichton from his NSW side when selecting the team on Channel Nine a few weeks ago. Crichton has captained the Bulldogs to the top of the NRL table in 2025 and was in unreal from leading into Game 1. His player-of-the-match performance against Canberra only two weeks out from Origin Game 1 had most people praising the centre. Although Johns opted to select Manly Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic in the centres. This was a controversial move considering Trbojevic has battled injuries in 2025 and has yet to find his form. While Johns is a big fan of Trbojevic and his work at fullback, his call to leave Crichton out certainly stuck in the minds of fans. Many were quick to remind Johns of his pre-match call after Game 1 at Suncorp. No Crichton btw — The SuperCoach Whisperer (@SCWhisperer) May 28, 2025 — Big Dog 1935 (@CBB1934) May 28, 2025 Origin is ridiculous I'm so jealous How good is Crichton, he MIGHT be the best centre in the world….. If Jake Wardle didn't exist — Wigan Warriors Fans (@WiganFans_RL) May 28, 2025 Stephen Crichton came into this game as the best centre in rugby game has just widened it get a MoM, but every interaction was outstanding.#StateOfOrigin — Philip Greenwood (@bigestphilou) May 28, 2025 Johns has also made another big selection call ahead of Game 2 having claimed Queensland coach Billy Slater needs to mix things up. The Blues were utterly dominant and the scoreline even flattered Queensland with NSW only converting one of four conversions. Queensland's attack looked clunky with Cherry-Evans, Harry Grant and Cameron Munster failing to link up. And Johns feels it could be time for Slater to tap Cherry-Evans on the shoulder and replace him with the more energetic Tom Dearden. "Look, no one beats Father Time and DCE is what, (36)? I think they have to pull the trigger and bring Dearden in," Johns said during Channel Nine commentary. "I don't know where the improvement comes with this group. RELATED: Billy Slater under fire over huge mistake as QLD sink to 27-year low Awkward claim about Bulldogs players amid Lachie Galvin signing "NSW, if they were on tonight, they they win by 40 or 50. They left so many tries out there and they'll be better for that. "I don't know if they can go up another level, Queensland. I think there has to be changes with (Canberra prop) Corey Horsburgh, he's one I think can add something. (South Sydney forward) Jai Arrow is an Origin player, but the big one is Dearden and whether they pull the trigger on Dearden with DCE." Cherry-Evans isn't ready to give up the Maroons jersey though and admitted he wanted another opportunity of redemption. "Yeah, definitely. I guess with losing comes the question," he said. "So we've opened ourselves up to these sorts of questions, but I'd love the opportunity to come back and correct it."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Crichton in, Maroons unchanged for Origin opener
Stephen Crichton will line up for NSW while Queensland haven't tinkered with their starting side for the State of Origin opener in Brisbane. Blues centre Crichton was in doubt after a collision at Monday's training session left him battling a cork in his upper leg. But the Canterbury captain has proved his fitness and will play on Wednesday night as NSW begin their series defence. Maroons coach Billy Slater hasn't tinkered with the line-up he named last week, Reuben Cotter listed to start in the second row in his first game since May 3 in his return from suspension. Isaah Yeo will become the 22nd Blues captain after being named while his Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves for the first time. Stephen Crichton will line up for NSW while Queensland haven't tinkered with their starting side for the State of Origin opener in Brisbane. Blues centre Crichton was in doubt after a collision at Monday's training session left him battling a cork in his upper leg. But the Canterbury captain has proved his fitness and will play on Wednesday night as NSW begin their series defence. Maroons coach Billy Slater hasn't tinkered with the line-up he named last week, Reuben Cotter listed to start in the second row in his first game since May 3 in his return from suspension. Isaah Yeo will become the 22nd Blues captain after being named while his Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves for the first time. Stephen Crichton will line up for NSW while Queensland haven't tinkered with their starting side for the State of Origin opener in Brisbane. Blues centre Crichton was in doubt after a collision at Monday's training session left him battling a cork in his upper leg. But the Canterbury captain has proved his fitness and will play on Wednesday night as NSW begin their series defence. Maroons coach Billy Slater hasn't tinkered with the line-up he named last week, Reuben Cotter listed to start in the second row in his first game since May 3 in his return from suspension. Isaah Yeo will become the 22nd Blues captain after being named while his Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves for the first time.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Crichton in, Maroons unchanged for Origin opener
Stephen Crichton will line up for NSW while Queensland haven't tinkered with their starting side for the State of Origin opener in Brisbane. Blues centre Crichton was in doubt after a collision at Monday's training session left him battling a cork in his upper leg. But the Canterbury captain has proved his fitness and will play on Wednesday night as NSW begin their series defence. Maroons coach Billy Slater hasn't tinkered with the line-up he named last week, Reuben Cotter listed to start in the second row in his first game since May 3 in his return from suspension. Isaah Yeo will become the 22nd Blues captain after being named while his Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary will partner Mitchell Moses in the halves for the first time.
