A smiling Stephen Crichton says he needed the green light from his heavily pregnant wife to come into NSW camp for the State of Origin decider.
July 2026 could finish as the best month of Crichton's life, with his first child due in two weeks and the Origin shield up for grabs on Wednesday night.
After withdrawing from Origin II with a persistent shoulder injury, Crichton earned a recall to play right centre in game three at Suncorp Stadium.
But with his baby girl well on the way, the Canterbury captain first needed to run it past wife Leone.
"Yeah, I had to. But she's doing really well, she's been carrying really well as well. She's a strong lady," Crichton told AAP.
"Life's going to change. I've always been footy 24/7, footy, footy, footy. That's going to change now with baby coming.
"I'm very excited."
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Crichton was part of the Blues team that won the last Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium in 2024, and the side that won game one there in 2025.
Recent history has given the 25-year-old reason to be confident.
"As a young kid, you want to play in those deciders up in Queensland, especially," he said.
"I know any New South Welshman would want to put on the jersey and go there. There's only 18 of us or 19 of us that get to do this opportunity."
Crichton's combination with winger Mark Nawaqanitawase shapes as key for NSW on both sides of the ball.
The towering duo are key targets for the Blues' kicking game, while Queensland's left side is their most potent attacking channel.
Crichton and Nawaqanitawase have been rooming together during camp for game three and have struck up a fast friendship.
"He's a character," Nawaqanitawase said.
"I've obviously watched Stephen from afar, so it's been good to get a chance to play with him. Just trying to connect this week, we've been pretty close.
"(We are) trying to get our combos working and then hopefully take it into the game."
Australian Associated Press
