Warrington Wolves boss on potential NRL recruitment boost: ‘We have asked the question’
Lachlan Fitzgibbon in action for Newcastle Knights. Photo credit: Australian Associated Press/Alamy Live News.
Warrington Wolves boss Daryl Powell has admitted that the question has been asked to bring over 2024 recruit Lachlan Fitzgibbon early to help finish the 2023 campaign strongly.
The 29-year-old back-rower has signed a three-year deal with the Halliwell Jones Stadium outfit from next season.
He has played all his career to date with Newcastle Knights in the NRL, scoring 31 tries in 112 appearances in the competition Down Under.
Warrington are light on troops in their pack following the departures of Thomas Mikaele and Josh McGuire, with the latter axed from his debut Super League contract following his second lengthy ban for unacceptable language.
Powell has made no secret of his desire to land mid-season recruits to help finish the season strongly, having recently fallen to fifth on the Super League table following a poor run of form.
It was a much-improved performance against reigning champions St Helens on Friday night despite the 24-20 defeat, with Sam Kasiano and James Harrison missing the Super League Round 18 fixture due to respective suspensions.
George Williams missed the game due to a hamstring injury, while Josh Thewlis and Connor Wrench were also rested following knocks in recent weeks.
Powell says that the Newcastle Knights’ push for the NRL finals may impact any chance of an early release for their back-rower, with the side currently 14th on the table and five points behind the top eight.
Daryl Powell on early Lachlan Fitzgibbon boost
“We have asked the question,” Powell admitted on the potential.
“They’re [Newcastle Knights] still in the fight for the play-offs.
“They’ve got a bye round I think this week, so that would extend it another week. In an ideal world, we’d try and do that.
“Maybe later in the season that could be an option. But we’ll keep looking into.
“We haven’t replaced those two guys that left [Mikaele and McGuire] and that’s clearly having an impact on the rest of the middle unit.
“We’ll keep looking.”
READ NEXT: Daryl Powell provides injury latest on George Williams, Josh Thewlis and Connor Wrench
FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app