“I don’t want to compare, but I obviously believe in myself and believe in my ability,” Crichton said.

“I know what I’m worth and what I can provide to a team. I love the Roosters, I love my teammates and I’m sure we’ll figure something out soon.”

Negotiations between Crichton’s management and the Roosters began in earnest on Friday and will resume again this week. There is no enmity between the parties: the Roosters braced for Crichton’s departure after he sought permission to explore opportunities in rugby union last year, while the former Rabbitohs forward understood the club’s need to explore contingencies.

There was a potential flashpoint after Crichton made a pointed comment during the Tricolours’ pursuit of Fifita, stating a fortnight ago: “I don’t want to be sitting behind anyone.”

“Obviously when I said what I said after the game, I think I was probably emotional,” Crichton said on Wednesday.

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“I was high on emotion and I guess it was probably a lack of communication for myself and, and Robbo [coach Trent Robinson].

“We’ve smoothed it over now and it’s all OK … We did talk after that and I’ll keep those conversations confidential out of respect to him and the club.

“Me, and the club, and Robbo, we are all in a good place. I understand that it is business at the end of the day.

“It’s a funny one because, obviously, where I guess an acquisition for a business, but we also have feelings and we’re also people at the end of the day as well as athletes and I guess little pawns in a chess game of a business.

“But I’m content with where I’m at. There’s no real rush for me to sort of jump at anything.

“I’m open to options and I’ll see what comes across.”

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