Having played the back half of Canterbury's NRL season in the halves, in a move he says has taken his game to "another level", Crichton will revert to the centres for Samoa's World Cup opener with France at CommBank Stadium on Friday.
Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has opted for Warriors five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita as the team's No.6, with co-captain Luai slotting in at halfback.
Luai was a lightning rod for criticism in the just-finished NRL season after the Tigers' campaign imploded when the 16-cap Samoan international announced in April that he would sign with the PNG Chiefs for 2028.
The animosity between the Tigers and Luai reached a tipping point in July, when the playmaker was told he could leave a year early and signed with Parramatta for a one-year deal in 2027.
"I can see the fire in Romy's eyes to prove a lot of people wrong, and I'll be right next to him, proving them wrong too," Crichton said.
"I've spoken to him a lot and he's got a very strong head on his shoulders.
"Regardless of what people say, he knows what's most important to him and that's family, his inner circle, and if his family's good, nothing else can probably get to him.
"I'm very excited to see what he can do in this campaign, and our first few sessions he's just been running amok."
Samoa will face PNG in Port Moresby after Friday's clash with the French.
"He (Luai) is going to take us all to the penthouse he's going to be living in," Crichton quipped.
As for his own season, Crichton feels the experience of partnering Lachlan Galvin in the halves for Canterbury has given him a new perspective on the game.
Crichton showed glimpses of brilliance as a big-bodied No.6, but his efforts were not enough to drag the Bulldogs into the top eight.
"I like both positions in different ways, but it's good being back out in the centres and feeling a lot more comfortable," Crichton said.
"I reckon it (playing as a half) has probably taken my game to another level, if I was to go back to centre now."
