3 months ago
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A hit-and-run visit to Irish rugby champions Leinster provided Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon with valuable lessons in how to build success – and learn from big-game failures.
Fitzgibbon said the preliminary final loss to Melbourne this year had hurt more than the defeat to Penrith at the same stage in 2024, but was encouraged he was on the right path with the Sharks after spending two days with Leinster coach Leo Cullen.
The Dublin club is regarded as one of the most powerful rugby organisations in the world, but lost three straight European Champions Cup finals between 2022-2024.
Cullen’s experiences resonated with Fitzgibbon, who is convinced his Sharks are finally capable of taking the next step and winning some silverware.
“The biggest thing we learned from visiting Leinster was knowing that even though you get so close to getting what you want, you need to stay the course and keep believing in what you believe in,” Fitzgibbon said.
“Leinster have been successful for such a long time. We’re still on that search for success. It will be ten years next year since we last won a title.
Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon with CEO Dino Mezzatesta and Ocean Protect CEO Michael Wicks (left)Credit: NRL Photos
“But it was great to speak about how you set up your day, how you set up your week, keep building confidence and keep building relationships.
“They also had a lot of players involved with the British and Irish Lions tour, so we also spoke about that balance of not having your main players, and starting your pre-season with the younger guys.”
Of the 38 players who toured with the British and Irish Lions squad to Australia earlier this year, 12 were from Leinster. As many as nine were in the Lions’ Test match 23.
The Sharks won nine of their last ten games last season, including an upset semi-final triumph over minor premiers Canberra in their own backyard, before falling to the Storm. They were not helped by the stop-start nature of the game that night, which featured a staggering 18 penalties.
‘We’re moving in the right direction. The belief is in our bones now, and we feel like we can get after it.’
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon“It really stung because I felt like we were playing better this year; the second half of the season we were really good,” Fitzgibbon said.
“We’ve got better each year. We’re moving in the right direction. The belief is in our bones now, and we feel like we can get after it. But we also know every other team will improve and get stronger.”
Fitzgibbon was an assistant coach at the Sydney Roosters when he first met Cullen. He also spent a day with Irish football club the Shamrock Rovers the night they won the premiership. Last year, Fitzgibbon spent time with Premier League club Brentford, where he discussed the different approaches to assembling a roster.
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Canberra coach Ricky Stuart had visited Leinster only a few days before Fitzgibbon, and could also relate to what was required to lift a group after coming so close to title success.
The Sharks received a huge boost on Tuesday when local company Ocean Protect was unveiled as the stadium naming rights sponsor for the next three years.
Despite Shark Park being dubbed “the worst professional sporting ground in Australia”, Ocean Protect, which helps stop stormwater pollution entering Australia’s oceans and waterways, committed to a three-year deal.
Cronulla CEO Dino Mezzatesta was delighted by the latest sponsor – the stadium did not have a sponsor last season – and remained hopeful they would receive state government support to complete a $180m makeover of their western grandstand.
“People will ask, ‘Why should we receive money?’ But every other club has received [government] money,” Mezzatesta said.
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