Yesterday, Wests Tigers locked up Tommy Talau on a new deal.
The outside back has been plagued by an acl injury in 2022 but signed a one year extension yesterday.
The deal follows the arrival of Charlie Staines at the club which means former Wigan Warriors star and previously reported Leeds Rhinos target Oliver Gildart with plenty of obstacles in the way between him and a place in the Wests Tigers’ backline.
Staines and Talau are joined by Asu Kepaoa, Starford To’a. Brent Naden, Ken Maumalo, David Nofoaluma, Junior Pauga, Junior Tupou and Triston Reilly.
There have been rumours recently that Gildart had been released from his contract at Wests after finishing the year on loan at Sydney Roosters, but officially Gildart is still set to be a Tiger in 2023 that’s despite the rumoured interest from Leeds earlier this year which may resurface with the Rhinos still missing a centre following the loss of Liam Sutcliffe and Zak Hardaker.
Gildart’s former England boss Wayne Bennett has also shown interest with the NRL’s newest club the Dolphins whilst there have been recent rumours that Gildart could be headed to Warrington in 2023 but those claims are as yet unsubstantiated.
What is clear is that if he does see out his contract at Wests, he has plenty of competition for places at the club but he will no doubt back himself after all we have seen his class through one of the all time great international tries he scored against New Zealand in 2018 as well as the fact he is a two-time Super League Champion.
However, should he decide to leave clubs will be queuing up to sign him.