NSW playmaker targets No.10 jersey, a contract extension and possible Wallabies future
Outside of rugby, Waratah’s service provider Lawson Creighton is a qualified electrician learning the trade behind the tools. On the field he is pursuing a new contract in Sydney and wants to specialize in one trade: five-eighth.
Against the Brumbies on Friday, Creighton will start at inside center for the seventh time after starting at five-eighth on four occasions, but sees his future potentially in the No.10 jersey for not only the Waratahs but the Wallabies as well.
Three Waratahs playmakers are out of contract at the end of the season: Creighton, Jack Bowen and veteran Jack Debreczeni.
“I want to play number 10, that’s true. I see myself going further in this regard and having longevity,” Creighton said.
“It’s a tough, physical situation in the centres, but I think that’s one of my strengths.
“If I can fine-tune my stroke play after hand and strike after strike, I’d like to get to a consistent, elite level. Then there’s no reason why I can’t be a good 10.”
Creighton moved to the Waratahs from the Reds two seasons ago, coinciding with the arrival of coach Dan McKellar. With NSW still challenging for a first final since 2022, Creighton is looking to extend his stay at the Waratahs beyond this season and move towards Test rugby.
“We’re building something here. I’m probably getting to the stage where I’m thinking ‘Should I go overseas’ or something like that, but my dream of playing for the Wallabies is still there and probably in that 10th area,” Creighton said.
“I think the position is still up for grabs, but obviously we’ve got a few injuries there. I haven’t been able to play much there, so my versatility has pushed me to play at 12 a bit this year.”
While Creighton’s future remains uncertain ahead of Friday night’s clash against the Brumbies in Sydney, he takes comfort in the fact that his life outside professional rugby is already mapped out.
After years working as an apprentice electrician in Brisbane, Creighton is spending his days off in Camden, learning the backstory of the construction trade.
“I probably don’t have the networks in terms of the brilliant things that I built at Brissie, so what I’m trying to do here is get some work experience and actually like sit in offices,” Creighton said.
“I was going somewhere in Camden… they run a high-end electrical business, so I’m in the office and I see the back end of the business.
“I’m pretty confident in my abilities to operate as a spark, but that side of the business, running a business, is probably where I need to grow… I made sure I completed my trade and then signed with the Reds, so I’ve always been someone who’s pretty strong at doing things outside of football.”
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