Latest news with #LachlanFitzgibbon
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SQUAD NEWS: Long-term injury returnee and possible debutant in Wire's 21
CONNOR Wrench has been named in a Warrington Wolves matchday squad for the first time in almost a year. The 23-year-old has completed his recovery from his second ACL injury in as many years, which he sustained during a home victory over Huddersfield Giants on July 5 last year. Head coach Sam Burgess hinted during his pre-match press conference that Wrench is unlikely to feature this week but with numbers stretched in the outside-backs, the academy graduate is expected to play imminently. There is also a potential senior debut for centre Zack Gardner - the son of Wire's head of performance Ade Gardner - after he too was named in Burgess' 21-man squad. Winger Matty Ashton became The Wire's latest and most crushing injury blow this week after he was ruled out for the rest of 2025 after damaging the ACL and MCL in his right knee during the Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Leigh Leopards. Second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon is named in the squad but is expected to miss the game having aggravated a rib injury during the same game while winger Josh Thewlis is out under concussion protocol having failed a head injury assessment. George Williams (ankle) and Danny Walker (knee) remain absent while there is no place in the squad for Zane Musgrove, with fellow prop Max Wood drafted into the 21. Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie, Matt Dufty, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Zack Gardner, James Harrison, Adam Holroyd, Toby King, Oli Leyland, Arron Lindop, Joe Philbin, Sam Powell, Stefan Ratchford, Dan Russell, Marc Sneyd, Rodrick Tai, Jake Thewlis, Paul Vaughan, Max Wood, Connor Wrench, Luke Yates Wakefield could welcome former Wire winger Matty Russell back into contention this week as well as forward Seth Nikotemo. Trinity have themselves been hit by injuries with the likes of Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Matty Storton and Olly Russell among those missing. Their 21-man squad is unchanged from the one ex-Warrington boss Daryl Powell picked from for their Magic Weekend victory over neighbours Castleford Tigers a fortnight ago. 🏉 UNCHANGED!! That's right Daryl Powell has named an unchanged 21-man squad to take on Warrington Wolves this Sunday!! 👉🏻 — Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) May 16, 2025
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fitzgibbon's relief as he tries to put injury nightmare behind him
WITH a frustrating first season at Warrington Wolves behind him, Lachlan Fitzgibbon is keen to move on – and he feels completely equipped to do so. After a promising start, injury wrecked the second rower's first year in the UK with a shoulder injury ending his campaign early having played in just over half of Warrington's 34 games. Having had extensive shoulder issues during his NRL career with Newcastle Knights before arriving at The Wire, the 30-year-old is well-versed in building himself back up again as he has had to do throughout the off-season. Friday's Round Two victory over Catalans Dragons saw him make his long-awaited return to action and this time, Fitzgibbon is confident he's back for good. 'Obviously, last year wasn't ideal for me only getting to play half a season,' he told the Warrington Guardian after the game. 'The body and shoulder are feeling alright now after surgery, so hopefully I can get through the rest of the year now. 'I've done the rehab six times now so every time, you're hoping it's the last one you have to do. 'I'm confident this time and I've put a lot of hard work into getting it right during the off-season and the pre-season. 'I felt really good out there against a really strong pack, so hopefully that means it's going to be fine for the rest of the year.' Head coach Sam Burgess had intimated throughout pre-season that Fitzgibbon would be ready to return in Round One but in the days before the trip to Huddersfield Giants, the Wire boss said his strike edge forward needed a little more time. And Fitzgibbon himself admits being fit to start the season may have been a slight stretch but being able to play 70 minutes against Les Dracs felt like 'a bonus.' 'I'm itching to play every game, but I think last week was pushing it a little bit. I had to get some extra running and contact done,' he said. 'I always had either this game or Vegas in my mind – I was more thinking towards Vegas so if I got to this game, it would have been a bonus. 'It's good to get there – I'm certainly glad I played! 'I'm always desperate to play 80 minutes, but I think Sam was leaning on the side of caution and managing my load at the moment. 'Hopefully, that will pay dividends for the rest of the year and I can play 80 minutes every week from now on.' Now, attention can finally turn to the game everybody has been looking forward to – the historic clash with Wigan Warriors at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. Having proved his fitness and seemingly come through unscathed, Fitzgibbon will be on the flight to the US on Sunday for what will be the first Super League fixture to be played on American soil. 'Every game you get to play on foreign soil is exciting,' he said. 'I've played in some pretty big games in the NRL and at Wembley last year, but this is just going to be a great spectacle at a crazy stadium. 'There should be a really good crowd there, so I'm really looking forward to getting out there and I'm desperate to come home with the win.'
