Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon has contracted COVID-19 and won’t oversee their round one match against the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium on Friday night.

Fitzgibbon tested positive through the week, delaying his NRL debut overseeing the Sharks.

With mild symptoms he is expected to be available for their clash with Parramatta in round two on Saturday 19 March.

Fitzgibbon has handed the reins to his assistant coaches Steve Price and Josh Hannay for the Raiders clash.

“After a carefully planned pre-season, most of the preparations are complete and we have three more than capable coaches to take care of the group for a couple of days,” Fitzgibbon said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Obviously the timing of this isn’t ideal, you can take all the precautions as I have in following NRL apollo advice and protocols but with four children at home unfortunately it has caught up with our family at an inopportune time.

“My health is fine and symptoms mild, I look forward to getting back amongst the group next week and I will be in constant communications with the coaches and players.”

A member of the premiership-winning Sharks coaching staff in 2016, Price returned to the club after a stint with Warrington in the UK Super League.

Hannay stepped in as interim coach at Cronulla during the 2021 season and was also the Cowboys interim coach in 2020.

Meanwhile, the Raiders have named their squad for the Sharks game with surprise debutant James Schiller to line up in the centres.

Schiller is the nephew of former Raider Brett Mullins and impressed on the wing during Canberra’s trial against the Roosters.

Matt Timoko will line up as the other centre with club champion Jarrod Croker to start the year in the NSW Cup.

The match will also be Canberra star Jack Wighton’s 200th NRL match.

With AAP

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