Fitzgibbon's relief as he tries to put injury nightmare behind him
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.'
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