'On a winning horse': Why Hudson Creighton joined the ACT Brumbies

The 21-year-old outside centre turned down an opportunity to join the Brumbies - at that point the reigning Super Rugby AU champions - last year, in pursuit of a boyhood dream of playing for Queensland.

"Dan actually got in touch with me last year about the prospect of moving. At the time it just wasn't the right fit," Creighton said.

"Obviously I was still in talks with the Reds at that point, and being a homegrown player, at the time I felt like that's what you want to do.

"You want to play for your state, you want to play in front of your friends and family. Luckily enough I did get that opportunity in Wellington."

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To an extent, Creighton's punt had paid off. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Reds during the Trans-Tasman tournament.

But McKellar and his right hand man Rod Seib weren't done yet.

They could see something in the Brothers club rugby sensation, which is why they came knocking again and eventually snared Creighton on a two-year deal ahead of the first instalment of Super Rugby Pacific.

"Seiby and Dan got in touch mid-season about the move and I was really excited they still felt I was a fit for the Brumbies, and I was really excited to move down," Creighton said.

"Moving forward, talking to Seiby and the rest of the coaches, they seem to have a very direct plan for me and how I was beneficial for the Brumbies but also how they could develop me as a player. That was why I felt the move was right for me."

Creighton was among five Queenslanders, with a handful on development deals, who spent two weeks quarantining inside a Canberra home before linking up with the Brumbies.

Now Creighton, who can cover both centre roles, wing and fullback, is determined to make the most of his chance at a club which has built a reputation for turning little-known rookies into stars.

"They have a great reputation for that and that just shows they're on a winning horse, they know what to do well and they know how to critique that for each individual and their development," Creighton said.

"Everyone is different, and it's a really great environment, a learning environment for development. I'm really excited to see what the coaches can do with myself.

"You know your opportunities will come eventually. There's injuries, and that's just a thing being a football player. When those opportunities come, you've just got to capitalise and put your best foot forward."

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