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NRL: New Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon to miss round 1

New Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has spoken after being forced into isolation until round 2 of the NRL season.

Craig Fitzgibbon will miss round 1 because of Covid. Picture: John Grainger
Craig Fitzgibbon will miss round 1 because of Covid. Picture: John Grainger

New Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon said his first emotion was that it’s “just not right” he’ll have to wait until round 2 to sit in the NRL hot seat after testing positive to Covid-19.

Speaking from home quarantine, Fitzgibbon said he had ridden a rollercoaster after it was confirmed he wouldn’t be able to take charge of the Sharks in their season opener against Canberra on Friday night.

Instead Fitzgibbon, who said he felt healthy, will have to watch his Sharks side face Canberra from his “downstairs bunker” and doesn’t know what contact he’ll have with his players throughout the game

“I’ve been super diligent and definitely laying low,“ Fitzgibbon said.

“But then you realise pretty quickly that you can‘t control the situation and you’ve just got to make sure that you get away from everyone and then start to plan as best you can from a distance.

“Thankfully, the staff are more than willing and able to help you out and it‘s all been it’s been quite smooth to be honest.”

His assistants Steve Price and Josh Hannay will take over, but Fitzgibbon isn’t sure if he will be on the phone throughout the contest or just pass on a message at the half.

“It can be quite difficult when they’ll be sitting there at the ground with the game, and then obviously sitting at home watching on TV, I miss a lot of the stuff that goes on in the background,” he said.

“I‘ve got to tell those guys to make strong decisions. Obviously, with some input we’ll have a plan going into the game before it happens, but as you know, those plans can sometimes get turned on their head pretty quickly.”

Its likely Fitzgibbon contracted Covid from a family member. He is expected to be available for the second round of the season.

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-new-cronulla-coach-craig-fitzgibbon-to-miss-round-1/news-story/25af4f8fbe5e1461afa70205c12ff4dc