Hull suffer play-off injury blow as Fitzgibbon is forced to retire

Scans have revealed a severe injury to 34-year-old Fitzgibbon’s ankle which he picked up in Saturday’s 50-18 win over Castleford Tigers and the Australian has confirmed he now looks set to retire from the game.

The Black and Whites captain underwent a series of tests this week that have confirmed the worst, with the Australian international suffering damage to the ligaments in the front of his ankle as well as a fracture towards the back.

“Craig is a giant in the game,” said Hull FC chief executive, James Rule.

“He has made an enormous impact on our club both on and off the field and he will leave a legacy of professional that we will continue to benefit from in the coming years.

“On behalf of the Directors, staff, coaches, players and fans, I would like to thank Craig for his contribution to Hull and wish him and his family all the best in his future endeavours.”

He will now undergo surgery later this week so he can begin his rehabilitation period as soon as possible.

It’s a cruel blow for the NRL’s leading points scoring forward who was looking to finish the season on a high, as he has now signalled his intention to retire at the end of the season.

Fitzgibbon is expected to get through the recovery operation before making any official comment on his retirement later in the month. The former Sydney Roosters man has had an impressive career, boasting State of Origin and International honours amongst his many achievements, including a Clive Churchill Medal during a Premiership Final victory.

Aside from captaining the Black and Whites in 2011, his most recent achievement was representing the Exiles against England earlier this season.

One piece of good news yesterday for Hull though saw hooker Danny Houghton sign a new contract that will keep him at the KC Stadium until the end of 2014.

The 22-year-old has signed a two-year extension to his current contract.

“I am really thrilled and it has come as a bit of a surprise really,” he said.

“I am really happy with the way I am playing and happy at Hull FC, they are my club and I wouldn’t want to be playing anywhere else so it was an easy decision to make.”

Houghton has started all 29 of his club’s matches so far this year following the departure of Shaun Berrigan and has been called into the England Knights squad.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats’ full-back Matt Blaymire has announced his retirement at the age of 29 after failing to recover from a knee injury.

Blaymire, who came through the Wildcats’ academy and made his Super League debut in 2007, made the decision on the advice of a specialist.

“I’m very sad to be leaving the club and, of course, the game,” he said. “It is something I wasn’t hoping to do at such a young age but I now have to move on to the next chapter in my life.

“I will look back on many fond memories at Wakefield, having made some life-long friends and worked with some great people.

“I would like to thank the Wildcats for my time here and I wish them every success for next season and beyond.”

Wakefield chief executive James Elston said: “Everyone at the club will be sad to see Matthew go.

“I personally have known Matt for over 10 years and he is a perfect example of proving that hard work does really pay off. He has been a great servant to the Wildcats and he is a credit to the club.”

Huddersfield Giants have snapped up Castleford’s promising centre or full-back Greg Eden on a two-year deal after he rejected a new offer from the Tigers.

The 20-year-old, whose father Phil played for Castleford in the 1990s, made his debut for the Tigers in the Challenge Cup this year and played against Warrington and Wigan in Super League.

Batley Bulldogs coach Karl Harrison is without suspended prop Sean Hesketh for tonight’s Championship elimination play-off against Halifax.

Harrison is at the centre of speculation linking him with a switch to The Shay for 2012, but his immediate focus is on steering Batley to the Co-operative Championship Grand Final.

Harrison said: “I’m confident we can beat anyone. We’ve a very competitive squad and motivation for big games is never a problem.”

Halifax caretaker coach Damian Ball will check on the fitness of Makali Aizue (ankle) and Steve Bannister (suspected broken thumb) but Jim Gannon is definitely is suspended.

On Batley, Ball added: “They’re a bit of a bogey team for us this year, but we know what to expect.

“Karl gets his troops up really well, and the key for us is to out-enthuse them. There’s no question it’s a difficult game, but if we prepare well then we’ve got a chance. We’ve got some threats and we’ve got some tricks up our sleeve, but it’s going to be tough. We’ve got to make sure we play smart.”

Leeds are to put on hold plans to redevelop Headingley’s famous South Stand because of the economic climate but say it will not prevent them from bidding to host matches in both the 2013 Rugby League and 2015 Rugby Union World Cups.

Harlequins continued their squad re-building yesterday with the signing of Australian winger Michael Robertson and Hull KR duo Liam Colbon and Matt Cook.

A minute’s silence will be held in memory of Swinton forward Dana Wilson, a former Halifax player, who was killed in a road traffic accident on Sunday, before each of this weekend’s Super League fixtures and Co-operative Championships play-off ties.