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Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rookie to stay cool in Super Rugby debut for Waratahs
Late-blooming Lawson Creighton is subscribing to the KISS method - keep it simple, stupid - after being handed the keys to the NSW Waratahs backline. Creighton will make his Waratahs debut in the No.10 jumper in Saturday night's Super Rugby Pacific derby with the Western Force after ousting Tane Edmed from the playmaker role. Eager to retain the role for next week's round-five clash with his former Queensland Reds teammates in Brisbane, the 26-year-old knows staying cool will be vital under the bright lights of Allianz Stadium. "Just keeping it simple, trusting myself and doing my job," Creighton said of his game plan. "I know if there's 14 other blokes on the field doing their job as well, we'll be in for a good game and a good performance." Knowing he had the chance to run a near-all-Wallabies backline was a major motivator in Creighton's decision to defect from the Reds at the end of last year to venture south to Sydney. "The forward pack's going to go forward and we've got some stars out back, so all I've really got to do is not overplay my hand and just get them the ball," he said. "So that'll be my role for the weekend. Control the game, control the tempo and do my job." An ex-Australian U20s teammate of now-Wallabies stars including Test captain Harry Wilson and fellow Reds Fraser McReight and Tate McDermott, Creighton jumped at the opportunity to join the Waratahs after making 34 appearances for Queensland mostly off the bench. "I just felt the excitement of what was coming," he said after Friday's captain's run. "The Melbourne Rebels folding, you could see what was starting to happen and boys coming here. "That just excited me, and I felt like the Waratahs were coming to me and really valuing me. "So I think that was what the tipping point to come down here. "Obviously I've got very fond memories of Queensland and a lot of good mates there, but the thought of going back to Suncorp (next week) would be very exciting. "I definitely would want to play if I get the opportunity of going up against your mates." Creighton will also assume goalkicking duties on Saturday as the Waratahs chase a third straight win to open a season since 2009. But with two wins and a last-gasp loss to the Reds from their opening three games, the Force are also living up to their name. "They're very good," said Tahs coach Dan McKellar. "No, they're really good. They've recruited well and had two good wins and probably should be three from three, to be honest. "Quality players across the park, so they're going to be a significant challenge."
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Waratah's rise from whipping boy to Suaalii replacement
From having Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii routinely trample over him throughout the junior ranks to filling the super-sized boots of the code-crossing star - that's the wild tale of Henry O'Donnell. In a scenario barely imaginable not so long ago, O'Donnell will make his Super Rugby Pacific debut for the NSW Waratahs against the Fijian Drua on Friday night after being parachuted in to replace Suaalii at outside centre. Suaalii has been ruled out with a toe injury, opening the door for O'Donnell, who on Thursday revealed the pair go way back, first clashing in under-11s a decade ago. I'm really excited about what centre Henry O'Donnell can bring to the Tahs this year. According to reports he's put on 6 kilos in the preseason build up & will be a handful for opposition how to hit a hole 💥💨 — OBBY (@OBBY001) February 4, 2025 And it wasn't always pretty when O'Donnell went head to head with the now-Wallabies pin-up and former Sydney Roosters NRL and NSW State of Origin ace. "Obviously Joey's a freak talent," O'Donnell said ahead after the Waratahs' captain's run at Allianz Stadium. "I've played Joey since we were growing up. He was at King's, I was at Riverview, so he was always that size and he was always running over the top of a few of us from that young age. "It was actually me and (fellow Waratah) Jack Bowen, we were always playing 10 and 12, and Joey was playing 10 for the other team and, yeah, he'd get the ball from 10 metres out and run over and score a try. "We were about four-foot-five (inches) and he was six ???" With no plans to try to emulate Suaalii, the 22-year-old former junior Wallabies midfielder has full belief he can give the Waratahs something different against the Drua. "Joey can play in probably all positions, and I'm also again confident that I'm a slightly different skill set and maybe the coaches might want to use that," O'Donnell said. "So I'm just going to go about my game like I usually go and that's just hard physical and upfront. "That's what the coaches have chosen and I'm pretty keen to rip into 13 or in any position with that sort of game style." After growing up in Sydney and developing through the NSW system, O'Donnell felt compelled to leave the Waratahs at the end of 2023 to pursue an opportunity with the Western Force. "Two years ago when I was here, I was stuck behind Joey Walton and Harry Wilson so it seemed a bit stupid to stick around," he said. "I went to seek some game time, which I got, but I'm really glad to be back." Team list locked in 💥🆚 Fiji Drua🏟️ Allianz Stadium📆 Fri 28 Feb, 7:30pm AEDT📺 Live and Exclusive on Stan Sport🎟️ Ticket link in bio and Story*denotes uncapped players#wearetahs — NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) February 26, 2025 O'Donnell has been quick to make an impression on Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, with new teammate and Wallabies winger Max Jorgensen hailing the recruit as a standout in the side's trials. "Henry is a born-and-bred New South Welshman, loves the Waratahs," McKellar said. "This is his home state, so he's excited. It'll be a great day for him and his family."
