Warriors players Lachlan Burr and Patrick Herbert said on Monday that they believed Fitzgibbon - a former grand final winner, as a player and an Australian test forward - would be a perfect fit for the struggling New Zealand club. Craig Fitzgibbon was the man responsible for the Roosters' iron-clad defence that saw them concede the fewest points in 2018 and the second-fewest … There’s no question that he’s going to get tossed up (for jobs),” Robinson said on Thursday.“But we’re also really content and on a path here. Fitzgibbon is widely considered as a coach-in-waiting, having served as an assistant at the Sydney Roosters since 2012. Assistant Coach Craig Fitzgibbon joined RoostersTV from Leichhardt Oval to talk all things Roosters related heading into Indigenous Round.
It's a matter of integrity. The 43-year-old former second-rower has … Assistant Coach Craig Fitzgibbon joined RoostersTV from Leichhardt Oval to talk all things Roosters related heading into Indigenous Round #EastsToWin
However, after Dragons coach Paul McGregor was spared the axe the rumours around the Warriors job started to take flight. His father, Allan Fitzgibbon, played for Balmain and the Hull Kingston Rovers and coached the llawarra Steelers and the Cronulla Sharks. Sydney media reported on Monday that Fitzgibbon was the Warriors' top target to replace Stephen Kearney, who was sacked 10 days ago and replaced by acting head coach Todd Payten. "I'm ready to be a head coach, I've done a lot of hard work to be ready, but I have an agreement with Nick and Robbo and I'll honour that,'' Fitzgibbon said. Fitzgibbon is steeped in rugby league. "We're in a position to do well the next couple of years and I'm not walking away from that.'' Fitzgibbon's decision to honour his Roosters contract leaves Payten, former Manly coach Geoff Toovey and ex-Dragons and Newcastle coach Nathan Brown, a current Warriors consultant, as potential contenders to replace Kearney, who was sacked after a 40-12 round six loss to South Sydney.l Payten took over for the 50-6 defeat to the Melbourne Storm last Friday. Australia's Channel Nine journalist Danny Weidler tweeted on Monday that Fitzgibbon was the Warriors' first choice to be new coach, but said he expected him to stay at the Roosters. Craig Fitzgibbon - reportedly top of wish-list to be the Warriors' new head coach - has committed himself to the Roosters until 2022. Fitzgibbon is widely tipped as a future head coach after serving as an assistant at the Bondi club since 2012. Fitzgibbon is widely tipped as a future head coach after serving as an assistant at the Bondi club since 2012.The 43-year-old has been linked with both the St George Illawarra and the recently vacated Warriors coaching jobs.“Fitzy’s one of the best coaches in our game. Craig Fitzgibbon was the man responsible for the Tricolours' iron-clad defence that saw them concede the fewest points in 2018 and the second-fewest in 2019. But Fitzy’s been the heartbeat of our defence for as long as he’s been there now.”Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler tweeted on Monday that he believes the Warriors have identified Fitzgibbon as their coach of choice, however, he believes Fitzgibbon will turn down the opportunity.He later tweeted that Fitzgibbon has pledged to honour his contract at Bondi, which doesn’t expire until the end of 2021.Weidler claims Fitzgibbon has a handshake agreement with chairman Nick Politis to remain at the Roosters.Comment on stories, get exclusive content and submit your own articles! "It's not lost on me I could miss some opportunities - and I'm flattered by the attention - but I'm not going back on my word. Everybody knows Fitzy’s his own man and he’s a strong, strong coach and one of the best in the game.”“All our principles, everything you see out there – us moving on the field and us working for each other, he’s the man behind it all,” Cordner told AAP.“Obviously you have Robbo who’s the head coach, who oversees it. Craig Fitzgibbon - reportedly top of wish-list to be the Warriors' new head coach - has committed himself to the Roosters until 2022. Fitzgibbon, who has been at the Roosters since 2000 as a player and a coach, said leaving mid-contract was "not what I want to do''. The 43-year-old has been linked with both the St George Illawarra and the recently vacated Warriors coaching jobs. Those two are two of my closest friends, I shook hands and looked them in the eye and said, 'I'll be here this year and next year', and I'll be honouring that. The 43-year-old said he will honour his commitment to stay as assistant-coach of the two-time NRL champions until the end of the 2021 season.