Madness.

Rugby league star Angus Crichton has has his finger amputated in a bid to ensure he is fit and read for the 2018 NRL season. David Rawlings, his manager at the South Sydney Roosters, has confirmed the back-rower had the middle finger on his left hand amputated.

Crichton earlier this week confirmed he had signed a three-year deal to join the Sydney Roosters from 2019. The 21-year-old had been told he needed more surgery on his finger, which would mean a three-month layoff.

Instead of surgery, Crichton opted for amputation after being troubled constantly in recent years by the finger.

“My finger has been an ongoing injury I’ve had since I was playing in the under-20s,” Crichton told the PlayersVoice website earlier this month.

“… A while back, I got it fused. I’ve got no knuckle in it.

“The doctor said I could either cut it off halfway or fuse it. I’ve had it fused several times now because I keep breaking it. I can’t bend the finger, so it’s like I’m constantly giving people the bird. If I clench my fist, my middle finger sticks out.”

After his fourth fusion surgery, Crichton vowed that it would be the last such operation.

“I’m going to have it cut in half because I’m just over it,” he said.

[IrishTimes]