It's why Crichton insists Shibasaki will not be underestimated by NSW, who have deferred a call on the fitness of superstar duo Brian To'o and Payne Haas until Tuesday.
To'o joined his Blues teammates at Monday night's session on Accor Stadium, having trained on Saturday for the first time since hurting his knee in Round 17.
But prop Haas began the session away from his teammates and with NSW's physiotherapists as he manages the back issue that has troubled him all year.
The Blues have been confident throughout the camp that both men will line up on Wednesday at Accor Stadium.
"I assume they'll do a bit more today and be good to go Wednesday," Blues forward Hudson Young said before Monday's session.
Coach Laurie Daley will give the pair time to recover from Monday's session before making the final call and confirming his team on Tuesday morning at the team hotel.
Uncapped winger Jacob Kiraz and prop Lindsay Smith are both in the extended squad at the ready if To'o or Haas, respectively, fail to pull up.
With Kalyn Ponga injured and the series on the line, Queensland coach Billy Slater raised eyebrows by picking journeyman Shibasaki at left centre and pushing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback for Origin III.
Before a breakout season at Brisbane, Shibasaki had floated across four clubs and played 30 games since his 2018 debut, and even left the NRL for a Japanese rugby stint in 2022.
But the 26-year-old's Origin selection did not shock Canterbury captain Crichton, who lined up against him when Brisbane handed the Bulldogs a 42-18 hiding in April.
Shibasaki crossed for one of the Broncos' seven four-pointers that night and is the NRL's equal-third most-prolific try-scorer heading into Round 19.
"He's been the top-form centre right now in the year, so he deserves his opportunity," Crichton said.
"Although probably some people don't know him, he's there for a reason."
Even so, Crichton concedes it will be a lofty task for Shibasaki to help the Maroons snatch the Origin shield come Wednesday night.
Shibasaki lines up against a star-studded Blues backline that features South Sydney champion Latrell Mitchell in the other centre spot.
Himself a surprise selection for game one, rookie Robert Toia joins Shibasaki in a much less seasoned centre pairing for Queensland.
But Crichton insists there'll be no complacency from NSW.
"I don't take any game lightly. You never know when it's going to be your last time in the jersey," he said.
"It's probably a big ask (for Shibasaki), but he's in the team for a reason.
"He's done a lot of things right, especially in the position of centre, (there's) a lot of decision-making out there."
