Wigan Warriors' Oliver Gildart set for fresh duel against 'unbelievable' St Helens ace
His strong form for Wigan last season saw him earn a late call-up to Wayne Bennett’s squad when Sam Burgess withdrew through injury.
And the 22-year-old went on to figure in all three matches against New Zealand, getting the nod ahead of Mark Percival – his opponent at the Totally Wicked Stadium this evening.
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Hide Ad“It’s a good challenge to play against him, and hopefully for him as well,” said Gildart.
“We’re good mates, and I got to know him better in the England squad, and he’s an unbelievable player.
“Hopefully he will bring the best out of me and I will out of him.”
Gildart has usually avoided Percival directly in previous derbies as they both played on the left-side.
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Hide AdBut the Warriors ace was switched to the right for their last five games last season – and he is expected to start 2019 on the same edge where he won a Grand Final and starred for England.
“I’ve had a chat and told Lammy it’s not my favourite side, I prefer the left and I feel I’m better on that side,” said Gildart.
“But I’m happy to do what’s best for the team and I felt I got a good combination with Tommy Leuluai at the back end of last year.
“One good thing about playing on the right is I face new centres – I get to play Percy at Saints, Konrad Hurrell at Leeds – so there are new challenges for me, and that side I’m looking forward to.”
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Hide AdSaints have played down the revenge factor to tomorrow’s opener, with coach Justin Holbrook insisting their failure to reach the Grand Final – having been pace-setters all season – will not be in their minds when they welcome champions Wigan. But Gildart, a former school-mate of Saints prop Luke Thompson, believes it will be a motivating factor.
“They were hands down the best team last year but fell at last hurdle, so they will want to prove a point,” he added. “I think in their mind, we pipped them.
“We’ll both probably be rusty so it may not be the best quality but the aggression and determination will be there.”