Fitzy was a big factor The five days that turned Ikuvalu the Rooster into a Shark

Five days ago, Matt Ikuvalu was certain he would head into the next NRL season as a Rooster.

But when the club’s former defensive coach Craig Fitzgibbon called to offer the winger a spot at the Sharks, it was a deal he could not refuse.

Ikuvalu was released from the final season of his contract with the Roosters this week and signed a two-year deal at Cronulla.

It is the first time new Sharks coach Fitzgibbon has poached a player from his former club.

Speaking for the first time about the decision, the star winger explained how the deal came about after conversations with Fitzgibbon and Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Ikuvalu said he forged an even stronger bond with Fitzgibbon last season during their time together in Queensland, where their families became close friends.

Matt Ikuvalu’s deal with the Sharks runs until the end of 2023.Credit:Getty

“Fitzy didn’t want to be stepping on any toes. So that conversation was had, then the conversation happened with my manager,” Ikuvalu told the Herald.

“Fitzy was a big factor in - not so much that he was trying to pull me across - it was just more so that it’s still a home feel rather than going to a completely new club. He’s going to still have the same morals and the system that he brings, so I’m not learning a whole new system.”

Ikuvalu was eager for a new challenge. Having been with the Roosters for four years, he felt it was time to move on once he got the call from Fitzgibbon. The deal also provides his young family with security until the end of 2023.

“It never really crossed my mind leaving the club but when the opportunity arose, things started getting in motion,” he said.

“It all happened really fast, in the space of four or five days. I was a bit stressed for those four or five days.”

A part of Ikuvalu dreaded making the call to Robinson. Having taken a chance on Ikuvalu when he was working in a shoe store as a University student four years ago, the winger owes his career to the Roosters coach.

“The conversation with Robbo [Robinson] was always on my mind, because I had the one more year. But he was really good about it and made me feel a bit better about the whole situation,” he said.

“He knew it was a bit more security for my family, so I think that’s why he was so good about it.”

Ikuvalu will join Fitzgibbon on November 17 during his first day of pre-season at Shark Park. His family is looking for a home in the Shire, having lived in the Central Coast while at the Roosters.

The 27-year-old is also eager to again play alongside fellow Coastie Nicho Hynes. The pair spent years together travelling to and from Sydney during their SG Ball days.

“There’s always been opportunity at the Roosters, but I just think this is a good chance for me to have a new chapter in my rugby league career and, hopefully, I can get on the field a lot at the Sharks,” he said.

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