Kangaroos star fires back at NRL commentator over his criticism of former team-mate’s decision to switch codes, telling him to ‘Shoosh’

Angus Crichton took to social media to hit back at critics of his former team-mate Joseph Suaalii after some have lambasted the ex-Roosters star’s decision to switch codes to rugby union.

With the Wallabies are set to embark on a tour of Europe in the coming weeks, with Joe Schmidt drafting the fullback straight into his squad.

Australia will begin their campaign against England at Twickenham on November 9, before heading west to play Wales at the Principality Stadium. They’ll face off against Scotland and Ireland before returning back home at the end of November.

Landing Suaalii, 21, was a huge coup for Rugby Australia, but it had cost the governing body a pretty penny, coaxing him to union in a deal reportedly worth more than $5million.

Suaalii had confirmed the news in March, announcing he would be joining on a three-year deal.

But some have expressed doubts over his selection in Schmidt’s squad.

Andrew Voss was one to criticise the selection decision, admitting his bewilderment over how someone who has no Super Rugby experience could be selected for the Wallabies.

‘You can’t have two training sessions and then get picked for Australia,’ Voss told SEN Radio earlier this week.

‘He’s got to play a game beforehand and it can’t be a Test. That’s absolute rubbish.’

Schmidt had been impressed with Suaalii during the two training sessions the squad has held in Canberra over the last two weeks and is keen to hand him an international debut before the end of the Autumn Internationals.

Angus Crichton has leapt to the defence of former team-mate Joseph Suaalii (pictured)

NRL commentator Andrew Voss (pictured) criticised Suaalii’s selection in the Wallabies Test side 

Crichton hit back at Andrew Voss on social media telling the NRL commentator to ‘Shoosh’ 

But in light of Voss’ words, Suaalii’s former team-mate, Crichton, has hit back at the NRL commentator with a four-word statement.

‘Shoosh,’ he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). ‘Let the kid play,’ he added with a ‘shush face’ emoji and a ‘snooze’ emoji.

Suaalii has some union experience under his belt, having played for The King’s School in Parramatta.

Schmidt was staying coy over what position in Australia’s backline Suaalii could play but spoke of how impressed he’d been of the ex-Roosters star so far in camp.

‘We’re not sure he’s ready, but the best way to find that out is having him in camp and getting to know him a bit further,’ Schmidt said.

‘I’ve seen enough of him play as a rugby league player in the midfield. I’ve got really good feedback from other players who were with him in the school system.

Crichton has also been selected to represent the Kangaroos for the first time since the 2022 World Cup 

‘Having had a couple of discussions with Joseph in the hub last week, he’s a kid who works hard on his game and is quick to pick things up.’

Chrichton, meanwhile, has been drafted back into Mal Meninga’s squad for the Kangaroos’ upcoming Pacific Championships games, having not pulled on the green and gold since the 2022 World Cup.