Oliver aiming to match his father against Roosters
GILDART HAS A FAMILY RECORD TO LIVE UP TO
WHEN Oliver Gildart takes to the field in the Betfred World Club Challenge tomorrow evening, his priority will be to help his Wigan side to victory over Sydney Roosters, but he has one more accolade he is aiming for.
His father Ian won two of the fixtures with the Warriors in the late 1980s and early 90s and Oliver, who was part of the side that defeated Cronulla Sharks two years ago, is keen to even up the score.
“It would be massive, it’d a pretty cool stat to have,” he said.
“Obviously, I’ll be concentrating on the game first of all, but in the back of my mind it’ll be there that if we do get the win, it will mean quite a lot.”
It is one of a number of subplots surrounding the game, along with the fact that coach Adrian Lam’s son Lachlan could make his Roosters debut in the fixture.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m concentrating on a game of rugby at the end of the day, but it kind of builds the atmosphere and the importance of the game.
“The story with Adrian is pretty cool and myself, I’ve got my own little story going, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
At just 22 years old, Gildart is one of the younger members of the Warriors squad, but he has achieved a significant amount in a short space of time.
He said: “I’ve won two Grand Finals, played in three, this will be my third World Club Challenge. It’s mad when you say it like that because I know they don’t come around often.. Everything’s been at 100mph for me so far and hopefully it continues that way, but I’m just enjoying the ride I’m on and enjoying my job.”
Soon after the success in 2017, Gildart’s career was threatened when he suffered a serious neck injury against Leeds Rhinos.
“It changed things massively,” he explained. “After all the good times, it made me appreciate just what I do for my job and being at training and playing week in, week out because you don’t know when an injury like that could happen. I’ve been lucky, I’ve come back fit and played in some big games, but I know I’ve just got to keep working hard every day and hopefully play in a few more games like this.”
Hooker Tommy Leuluai has won a World Cup Final and Gildart knows that his experience will be key.
He said: “I’m always learning from Tommy in Super League, but it’s good to have him in these big games, and Lockers and Liam Farrell - lads who’ve been around the block.
“But at the same time I feel like I’m a lot more experienced now.”