Ex-Wigan Warriors star Oliver Gildart names “the best coach to have lived”

Former Wigan Warriors centre Oliver Gildart has worked with some of the best coaches to grace either Super or the NRL.

He was developed and brought through the system at Wigan Warriors by three time Grand Final winner Shaun Wane, worked with another Grand Final winner, in both Super League and the NRL no less, in Michael Maguire at Wests Tigers last year.

But the best in his opinion is his former England and Great Britian boss Wayne Bennett who he revealed was a key reason behind signing for the NRL’s newest club The Dolphins for 2023.

He described him as “the best coach to have lived” in an interview with NRL.com.

“I came to the Dolphins because of Wayne, I worked with in 2017 and 2018. I feel like he really helped me develop my game. He’s probably the best coach to have lived so to get to work with him again is something that I wanted to do,” he said.

“He spoke to my management team and I have a personal relationship with him I have done for a few years so it was an easy decision to make.”

The centre, who once famously scored a spectacular match winning try against New Zealand under Bennett in 2018, also outlined his goals at his new club:

“My goals for 2023 hopefully nail down a spot and do everything I can for the club. We’re a new team and a clean slate. We’re making history here.

“We have real competition for places, I just want to get my head down.

“Being part of history is not something that comes around very often especially playing in a new team in the NRL. So that’s what excites me, creating history and hopefully we can create some good history.”