Ex-Wigan Warriors centre, 26, has spent a difficult couple of years in Australia including being ignored by his former England boss but is back to make his mark in Super League starting at Headingley on Sunday – and then with Hull KR in 2024
After being “wasted” by legendary coach Wayne Bennett in Australia, fired-up England centre Oliver Gildart aims to get his career back on track with Leigh.
He debuts for the high-flying Leopards against Leeds at Headingley on Sunday after a whirlwind few days. Ex-Wigan star Gildart, 26, beat the transfer deadline to join from NRL outfit the Dolphins on a short-team deal until the end of the season. It ends a difficult couple of years Down Under where he played for Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters and Bennett’s new boys.
Gildart, of course, has signed a three-year deal with Hull KR – who Leigh face in Saturday’s Challenge Cup final – from 2024. He is ineligible to play at Wembley but insisted: “I don’t think I’d have played even if I could. I’ve a lot of respect for KR. It wouldn’t have been the right thing to do.
“It’d be great to play at Wembley and hopefully I can next year with Rovers. I can’t wait to get started there. But this Leigh situation happened last Friday and by Saturday I knew I was coming. I flew Monday and here I am. It made sense.”