Craig Fitzgibbon

Craig Fitzgibbon

Personal information
Nickname	Fitzy
Born	16 June 1977 (1977-06-16) (age 34) New South Wales, Australia
Height	191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	104 kg (16 st 5 lb) [1]
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Prop, Lock
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1998	Illawarra Steelers	20	2	38	0	84
1999	St.George Illawarra	15	4	25	0	66
2000–2009	Sydney Roosters	228	36	655	0	1454
2010–11	Hull	44	9	9	0	54
	Total	307	51	727	0	1658
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2001–2008	Country Origin	5	0	5	0	10
2002–2008	Australia	19	3	50	0	112
2003–2008	New South Wales	11	1	20	0	44
2011	Exiles	1	0	0	0	0
Source: NRL Stats

Craig "Fitzy" Fitzgibbon (born 16 June 1977) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for Hull in the European Super League and previously the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he is the son of former rugby league player and coach Allan Fitzgibbon. Fitzgibbon has signed with English club Hull of Super League for the 2010 season.

Early years

Craig Fitzgibbon played his first game of junior football with the Dapto under-9Bs. His heroes as a child were Gavin Miller, Bradley Clyde and Andrew Ettingshausen.^[2]

Playing career

Fitzgibbon began his playing career for the Illawarra Steelers in 1998. Following the Steelers' merger with St. George Dragons, he played for the merged club St. George Illawarra Dragons. Fitzgibbon played in the Dragons' 20–18 loss in the 1999 Grand Final, scoring the first try.

Fitzgibbon subsequently transferred to the Roosters in 2000, again scoring a try in the Roosters' 14–6 loss to the Brisbane Broncos. Eventually, Fitzgibbon won a premiership with the Roosters in 2002, winning the Clive Churchill Medal for his best-on-ground performance. In the 2003 NRL grand final Fitzgibbon played in the second row and was the Roosters' goal-kicker in their loss to the Penrith Panthers. After that he was selected to go on the 2003 Kangaroo tour.

In 2006, Fitzgibbon succeeded Luke Ricketson as captain of the Roosters. On 12 August 2006, he became the highest scoring forward in premiership history, surpassing ex-Canberra Raiders back-rower David Furner. Fitzgibbon passed the previous record of 1218 points by converting winger Sam Perrett's third try in the 64th minute after beginning the match four points behind the Canberra forward.

In August 2008, Fitzgibbon was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,^[3][4] and in October 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man Australia squad.^[5]

On 16 May 2009 it was announced that Craig had signed a one year deal, with the option of a second year, with English Super League side Hull for the 2010 season.[1]

On 3 September 2011 Fitzgibbon suffered a fracture and ligament damage to his ankle and announced his retirement at the age of 34. On the 26 September announced he would return to the Sydney Roosters in 2012 as apart of it's Coaching Staff [2]

Rugby League International Origin Match

Craig Fitzgibbon was selected for the Exiles squad for the Rugby League International Origin Match against England at Headingley on 10 June 2011.^[6]

Career highlights

• Played in the 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 & 2004 Grand Finals (scored 3 tries & kicked 9 goals for 30 points)
• Won the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2002 Grand Final
• Played 8 games for New South Wales 2003–2005 (scored one try & kicked 16 goals for 36 points)
• Played 15 games for Australia 2002–2005 (scored 3 tries & kicked 39 goals for 90 points)
• Played 4 games for Country vs. City 2002, 2004, 2005 & 2006
• Craig Fitzgibbon is the highest point scoring forward (1560 points)
• Has played 239 first grade games (scored 39 tries & kicked 700 goals for 1560 Points)
• Has kicked over 600 goals for the Sydney Roosters
• One of the last remaining Illawarra Steelers players (Along with Trent Barrett and Luke Patten)

References

1. ^ "Hull F.C.". web page. Hull F.C.. http://www.hullfc.com/personnel.aspx?pr=210859. Retrieved 10 August 2011. 
2. ^ Matt Logue. "My first...". Rugby League Week (Sydney, NSW: PBLMedia) (21 May 2008): pg 33. 
3. ^ Liam FitzGibbon (1 August 2008). "Surprises in Kangaroos squad". "Fox Sports News (Australia)". http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24111780-23214,00.html. Retrieved 2 August 2008. 
4. ^ "Veteran Lockyer named in Australian squad". International Herald Tribune. 1 August 2008. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/01/sports/AS-RGL-Australia-Squad.php. Retrieved 2 August 2008. 
5. ^ "Manly six win Australia call-up". BBC. 7 October 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656211.stm. Retrieved 7 October 2008. 
6. ^ "Warrington dominate Exiles picks for Origin fixture". bbc.co.uk. 4 May 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/13278410.stm. Retrieved 2011-05-04. 

External links

• Sydney Roosters profile
• National Rugby League Profile National Rugby League Home
• Craig Fitzgibbon Rugby League Tables & Statistics
• State of Origin / New South Wales Players Rugby League Tables & Statistics
• Sydney Roosters profile
• Craig Fitzgibbon at the State of Origin official website.
• Illawarra Steelers Profile
• Craig Fitzgibbon to Hull FC Hull FC website

Preceded by Andrew Johns (Newcastle Knights)	Clive Churchill Medallist 2002	Succeeded by Luke Priddis (Penrith Panthers)
Preceded by Luke Ricketson	Sydney Roosters Captain 2006–2008	Succeeded by Braith Anasta

Persondata
Name	Fitzgibbon, Craig
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	16 June 1977
Place of birth	Wollongong, New South Wales
Date of death
Place of death