Warrington Wolves: Daryl Powell addresses Lachlan Fitzgibbon speculation with NRL star out-of-contract
Warrington Wolves head coach Daryl Powell has addressed the speculation linking his side with out-of-contract NRL back-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon.
Recent reports from the Newcastle Herald stated that the Halliwell Jones Stadium side have emerged as new front-runners to land the 29-year-old.
A back-rower, Fitzgibbon has also previously been linked with a move to Headingley Stadium with Leeds Rhinos by Leeds Live.
The Australian reports linked the current Newcastle Knights star with Warrington on a ‘multi-year deal’ for 2024 and beyond.
Warrington currently have two quota spots available within their squad following the departures of Thomas Mikaele and most recently Josh McGuire.
Following his stellar start to his debut year in England, Paul Vaughan was quickly tied down to an extended contract by the Wolves until the end of 2025.
Matt Dufty, Sam Kasiano and Josh Drinkwater are all currently contracted through until at least the end of 2024, while Peter Mata’utia remains off contract at the end of the current season.
Fitzgibbon would add much-needed experience and depth to Powell’s back-row options, which includes regular starters Ben Currie and Matty Nicholson, while youngsters Tom Whitehead and Adam Holroyd are knocking on the door of the first team.
He has made 111 appearances for Newcastle Knights since his debut in 2015, scoring 30 tries.
Daryl Powell coy on Lachlan Fitzgibbon speculation
Powell told Love Rugby League: “I won’t talk too much about that at the moment.
“We’ve got nothing confirmed at the minute.
“We’re looking at a few players obviously with what happened to us earlier in the season. We’ll talk about that when the time is right.”
England Knights representative and back-rower Ellis Longstaff is expected to depart Warrington at the end of the year.
The 20-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at Salford Red Devils under Paul Rowley, and remains without a deal for 2024.
Powell previously confirmed to Love Rugby League: “There’s some of the rules around compensation and things like that that have been discussed.
“I’m not 100% sure where Ellis Longstaff will end up.
“I’ll leave that for down the track.
“He’s obviously working through his future where he is at the moment. Obviously, we’ll have a say in that and that’s a discussion for the future, I think.”
READ NEXT: Warrington Wolves history of overseas signings leaves questions over their recruitment strategy
FOLLOW: Keep up with all the latest on the Love Rugby League mobile app