In preparation for the 2024 Super League season, WARRINGTON Wolves are back in preseason. New players from below Zane Musgrove and Lachlan Fitzgibbon are adjusting to the cold weather.
The forward duo is accustomed to practicing in the intense heat of Australia’s summer, but once the frost sets in, everything changes.
Fitzgibbon had been working on the Warrington relocation for so long that in June of last year, when he signed his contract, Daryl Powell was still the head coach.
Fitzgibbon, a proud Novocastrian, dismissed rumors of a quick move to England and finished the season with Newcastle Knights, who went on a 10-game winning streak to go to the semi-finals.
With almost 100 games, the back-rower has been a one-club man in the NRL with the Knights.
“I couldn’t see myself playing for another NRL club,” he declared. I had always had my eye on the Super League, and the squad was doing pretty well when I signed last year. I believed that now was the ideal time for my girlfriend and I to travel abroad and take on a new challenge.
“It’s a blue-collar community that’s fantastic with a long working heritage. It makes me think of Newcastle a lot. I’ve seen many similarities between the two, which is why I found the transition to be so simple.I think things will get much better once I play in front of my home supporters; I’m already in love with the town and the community.
“To be honest, I’m loving the weather. It is a component of the journey. This kind of cold is novel to me; I’ve never felt anything like it before. I can’t wait for the snow!”
Prior to making the jump, Fitzgibbon met with a number of players, including Luke Yates of Huddersfield, Sione Mata’utia of St Helens, and Jackson Hastings, the former Man of Steel. He also had talks with Kurt Gidley, a legendary player from Newcastle.
He signed a three-year contract and was the first new signing revealed for 2024.
Musgrove is currently aiming for a starting prop spot for the Wolves in 2024. He also wants to play for Samoa, who are in talks to play England in a series at the end of the year, and win international recognition.
Just in time for the first day of pre-season, he moved over with his partner and their newborn daughter, and they’re getting along great.
“I had little knowledge. When I signed, I completed some schoolwork and watched the boys advance to the finals. Positive things have been said about the club everywhere I’ve heard.Ben Murdoch-Masila was telling me everything about the club and was quite optimistic when we were discussing.
I was unable to pass up the opportunity. Sammy Burgess played a significant role in my decision to come over and pursue success. Although the team has won the Challenge Cup, they haven’t taken home the championship. With the system we have in place, I believe we are capable of something truly exceptional, and I want to be a part of it.
The 27-year-old, who played for the Dragons last season on 11 occasions before deciding to move to Super League, has also played for the Wests Tigers, South Sydney, and St George-Illawarra in the NRL.
to he aspires to try to make the same kind of impression as Paul Vaughan did upon entering Halliwell Jones Stadium.
“I want to be a dominant force in the game,” Musgrove continued. That’s how I roll. I want to be a person that is dependable, takes initiative, and completes tasks.
In addition to Fitzgibbon and Musgrove, Warrington Wolves has signed Australian-born Papua New Guinea international center Rodrick Tai; however, he has not yet arrived in the United Kingdom.
Wesley Bruines, a young player, has come from St Helens, while Jordan Crowther has permanently moved from Wakefield.
After leaving Hull FC for six years, hooker Brad Dwyer returned to the team, and last month, Sam Powell signed on as the newest member, coming from Wigan.
On February 17, Warrington will travel to Catalans Dragons to begin the season.
