LACHLAN Fitzgibbon joined Warrington Wolves under one head coach, but a different one will oversee the team’s development initially.
Daryl Powell was in charge and preparing for his third season as head coach when it was announced back in July that the second-rower would be joining the team on a three-year contract.
However, Powell quit the team later that month due to a terrible run of play, and Sam Burgess—a modern-day rugby league legend—was picked as his successor.
Fitzgibbon maintains that Burgess’ hiring has only increased his excitement for his fresh start, despite the fact that it may be an unusual scenario for a new recruit to enter.
“To be honest, I didn’t really give the coach change much thought,” he admitted.
“After I signed, I was only concerned with giving the Knights my all, regardless of the coach’s identity. When this season arrived, I would shift my attention.
“While I regret how things with Daryl ended, Sam’s arrival has increased my desire to go on, begin my journey here, and work under him.
“He’s a motivating leader, and I have no doubt he’ll succeed here.”
Fitzgibbon has the distinction of being one of the Wire squad players to have faced their new head coach due to their two NRL stints.
In fact, he remembered a specific game in which Burgess’ South Sydney Rabbitohs and his Knights were side by side in the back row and occurred at the end of the England player’s career.
Fitzgibbon stated, “He was the player everyone kind of aspired to be like when he first came over. He played a bit of back row and a bit of middle.”
“During the latter part of his career, I had the privilege of against him on a few occasions at the Bunnies, and he was always a formidable opponent.
In one game, I faced him; I was on the right edge and he was on the left. Although the Bunnies were somewhat smouldering that day, it was nevertheless nice that we were able to dust them.
“It’s ironic that he’s now my coach, but the first few weeks working with him have been fantastic. He’s an inspirational person.”
