They will be NSW teammates in Origin II, but Angus Crichton admits his first impression of Matt Prior was that he was a "grub".
At the tender age of 31 and after 11 seasons in the NRL, Cronulla prop Prior will finally get his shot at State of Origin after being drafted in for the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard for game two at ANZ Stadium.
For several years Sharks coach Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has pushed for Prior to receive a Blues call-up, pointing to his record of having won titles with Cronulla and St George Illawarra.
Many of his teammates have heralded him for the unrecognised work that he does, in particular his ability to get on top of his opposite number in defence.
South Sydney back-rower Crichton said that he had a less than flattering view of him when they first clashed.
While Crichton failed to elaborate on what Prior did to earn his ire, he said he had shown a penchant for niggling.
"I'd never met him before, I'd played him a few times on the field and he's been a bit of a grub to me," Crichton told Fox Sports' League Life.
"I didn't know him at first. But like all the rest of the boys they're all really good fellas and we get on really well.
"It's funny, a bloke like him is completely different on the field and I think he'll slot in really well during Origin.
"He's got a fair bit of aggression in him and he's a pretty similar player to Reagan Campbell-Gillard."
Share
