The NRL wedding for Penrith and Bulldogs star Stephen Crichton that was so big it forced an international Test series to be DELAYED because so many players were in attendance
NRL superstar Stephen Crichton has married his high school sweetheart in a dream ceremony with plenty of tears, laughter and dancing at a reception full of Samoan traditions.
The three-time NRL premiership winner with the Penrith Panthers and current Canterbury Bulldogs star tied the knot with Leone Seumanu Lauafia Crichton in front of a host of NRL stars.
There were so many footy players in attendance that wedding actually forced the international Test series between England and Samoa to be delayed because so many representatives from Toa Samoa had already planned to be at the wedding.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was at the ceremony and reception along with Panthers players Jarome Luai, Scott Sorensen, Moses Leota, Izack Tago and Sunia Turuva to name a few.
Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo was also spotted along with players including Kurt Morrin and Harry Hayes.
Panthers winger Brian To’o was best man for the day while Roosters prop and former Penrith star Spencer Leniu was also in the bridal party.
The reception was one for the ages, with both Crichton and Leone dressing in traditional Samoan attire and performing traditional dances for the friends and family in attendance.
The couple were showered with cash, with notes pressed against their body and then collected from the floor to help them get off to the best start in married life.
To’o spoke lovingly about his ‘brother’ Crichton, but also revealed they were not close when they first met in a school basketball competition.
‘It went from a three on three to a one on one between me and Stephen,’ To’o said.
‘Knowing how Stephen plays, he always goes for the three-pointer, he’s a high quality player, that’s what he does.
‘He took the shot, faked it, had me turned around, bounced the ball off my head, caught it, shot the three-pointer which won them the game.
‘So I spent the next three years hating him.’
The crowd laughed, but To’o quickly switched to the brotherhood that blossomed later on.
‘Luckily we re-connected in 2017 … because it had been a long time [since] seeing him, I offered him a bit of my lunch,’ he said.
‘That was the very beginning of our brotherhood.
‘Since then, we’ve achieved so much together playing alongside each other for the Penrith Panthers, New South Wales Blues and Toa Samoa.
‘Your greatness continues to shine on those around you, that’s what makes you the leader.
‘Off the field, he’s a very devoted family man and a man of faith.
‘I thank my brother for the friendship and memories that we’ve built together that will last for a lifetime.’
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