Arriving late for his pre-match press conference, dressed in the wrong kit and having missed an appointment with the club physio, team-mate Micky Ward was left to comment: “He’s a cracking lad, but I think he operates on Samoan time. It’s fair to say he’s a free spirit, on and off the pitch.”

Also doubling up as the club finemaster, Ward will waste no time in rattling his bucket in Crichton’s direction, admitting: “He’s racked up a few quid already today, the kitty’s looking a bit healthier now!”

Having eventually pitched up for his media interrogation, the former Waikato man with the pink jumper and the blond streaks in his hair showed that his extrovert streak remains firmly on the field, flat-batting all deliveries from the press corps ahead of the Sarries clash.

“It’s been good this week. Saturday was disappointing. I’ve enjoyed being in Newcastle so far,” was about as much as he was keen to impart, preferring to do his talking on the field come 8pm on Friday.

Having joined the Falcons in the barrage of overseas signings during the autumn, Crichton’s first start showed immediate dividends in a remarkable away win over Guinness Premiership champions Sale Sharks, at a time before their major run of injuries had struck.

Six starts, seven bench outings and 22 points later, he prepares to start at fly half in a game pivotal to Newcastle’s season prospects. So what does he make of Friday’s opponents from Watford?

“We’re just focusing on ourselves this week really,” was the guarded response from the Samoan who continues to dazzle with his maverick approach to the game – even passing the ball while over the try line to team mate Joe McDonnell during the 37-11 victory over London Wasps two weeks ago.

“He can be amazing and totally infuriating in the same breath,” says director of rugby John Fletcher.

“That pass to Joe over the try line against Wasps didn’t surprise me at all, because he does things like that every day in training.

“What is for certain is that he’s a very talented player, make no mistake, and he has the ability to play in every position across the back line. He starts at fly half on Friday, which he did against Wasps a fortnight ago, and hopefully his creative skills can get the team going in what will be a tough game against a good side.”

Words may not be his currency, but after all it is points, not proverbs, that win prizes.