OSPREYS: ‘It’s probably why I’ve still got a job’: Creighton embraces his Mr Fix-It role before Black Lion

Lawson Creighton has a simple explanation for why he’s still in a job: he can play almost anywhere in the back line.

The Australian joined the Ospreys from the Waratahs in the summer. His ability to cover several positions has earned him the Mr Fix-It tag.

“I think that’s probably a strength of mine. I can cover a lot of positions and it’s probably why I’ve still got a job,” he said.

‘I personally think I’m best at the ten’

Creighton started at fly-half in the 41-24 defeat to the Sharks in Durban, and kicked his first points for the club that day.

But he’s in no doubt about where he’s at his best.

“I personally think I’m best at the ten, but I played a little bit at 12 back at the Waratahs last year, played quite a few games there just through injury and things like that,” he said.

“It’s definitely a strength of mine, just being able to sort of cover those positions as well.”

Dan Edwards and the fight for the 10 shirt

Dan Edwards took the shirt back in Johannesburg. Head coach Mark Jones has called them “different types of players”.

Creighton says the competition is bringing out the best in both of them.

“It’s been unreal. He’s obviously a very, very handy player. It’s just been good to bounce ideas off each other and sort of try and bring a different way of looking at things as well over,” he said.

“Depth in position is really good. It pushes the group and I feel like the squad at the moment has that. It’s only going to breed, you know, challenge for spots and the best out of everyone.”

A Reds reunion in Swansea

Creighton was one of four Australians to arrive at the Ospreys this summer, along with Liam Wright, Lalakai Foketi and Marika Koroibete. Some of the faces were already familiar.

“I’ve played with three of the boys. I haven’t played with Marika [Koroibete]. But I’ve played a lot of footy with Ryan [Smith] and Liam [Wright] at the [Queensland] Reds,” he said.

“When this [move to Ospreys] came about, it made everything a lot easier, and I know I’m going to have a little bit more support.

“It’s been really good coming over. The boys have been very welcoming and everyone’s support and stuff and everything’s been easy to transition.”

‘Monkey off the back’ at Rodney Parade

The Ospreys lost both games in South Africa before the 38-31 derby win over the Dragons.

“It was a tough trip over South Africa, but I think we, as a group, it was really good for us. We had patches where we were definitely in those games. We just got to do it for longer periods,” Creighton said.

He was on the bench at Rodney Parade for his first Welsh derby.

“It was really nice to come home to a Welsh derby, which I haven’t experienced before, and we haven’t won there in a few years. It was an awesome experience,” he said.

“It was a massive win for us. Yeah, we’re obviously disappointed we didn’t pick up any wins over in South Africa. So it’s definitely that sort of monkey off the back a little bit.”

Black Lion: ‘A style of play which we think we can probably unsettle them with’

Next up is Black Lion in Tbilisi on Saturday (1pm), the Ospreys’ first game in this season’s Challenge Cup.

“We’re expecting a tough battle over there. We have a style of play which we think we can probably unsettle them with, and they’ve probably got a style that they think they can unsettle us with,” Creighton said.

“We’re going to be right up for the battle up front, I think, first and foremost and we’ll see how it goes.”

He wants a quicker start than in Durban, where the Sharks led 28-14 at half-time.

“I think any game you want to get off to a good start. We probably found ourselves against the Sharks chasing our tail a little bit, 20 points down, I think, in the first 20 minutes,” he said.

“It becomes a different style of game when you’re chasing the game. So, I think trying to set up the first 20 minutes is really important for both sides.”

First team coach Richard Kelly has also warned of Black Lion’s huge pack.