SAMOA'S GAMBLE WITH STEPHEN CRICHTON AT FIVE-EIGHTH BACKFIRES

Stephen Crichton before Toa Samoa faced the Kiwis, losing 50-0 (Photo: Toa Samoa Facebook page)

In a surprising move, Samoa's coach, Ben Gardiner, made a bold decision to name Stephen Crichton at the five-eighth position for their Pacific Championships opener against Australia. Crichton, known for his prowess as a center, was put in an unfamiliar role, raising many eyebrows among rugby fans and experts.

Crichton's performance in this new role left much to be desired. He had a challenging day during the test match against the Kiwis, with several mistakes, including putting two kicks out on the full. His partnership with halfback Daejarn Asi failed to produce effective attacking plays, with commentators and analysts like Corey Parker pointing out that Samoa's final tackle options were "poor."

Crichton's exceptional performance during the season, particularly in the grand final and State of Origin series, showcased his talent as one of the best centers in the competition. However, the experiment of playing him as a five-eighth did not yield the desired results for Samoa.

One crucial absence in Samoa's lineup was Jarome Luai, who had been a key player for the team but missed the Pacific Championships due to injury. Luai's absence was palpable, as analysts and commentators believed that Samoa sorely missed his experience and playmaking abilities.

Former rugby player and commentator Michael Ennis questioned the decision not to shift Crichton back to his more natural position, especially when it became evident that the game was slipping away from Samoa. Ennis suggested that it might be time to return Crichton to his preferred position as a center or even fullback.

Greg Alexander from Fox League emphasized that Samoa was outmatched against Australia and New Zealand, highlighting that Crichton, who is not a natural five-eighth, and Daejarn Asi, a backup halfback, struggled to fill the void left by key players like Jarome Luai and Anthony Milford.

In retrospect, Samoa's decision to experiment with Stephen Crichton at five-eighth seemed to have backfired. While the move may have been a gamble worth taking, it ultimately raised concerns and criticisms, as the team's performance suffered without key players in their usual roles. The Pacific Championships served as a reminder of the importance of playing players in positions where they can best utilize their skills and experience, rather than simply trying to fit them into unfamiliar roles.