Gildart puts injury woes behind him to seal Hull KR’s grand final return

Hull KR booked a return to Old Trafford for the 2025 Betfred Super League grand final as they beat St Helens 20-12 at Sewell Group Craven Park on Saturday evening; the Robins now face Wigan Warriors, who beat them 9-2 in last year's grand final, as they aim to complete a historic domestic treble; Oliver Gildart played a starring role for Willie Peters' side with two tries after a season which has been disrupted by injury

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Marc Bazeley
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Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com - 04/10/2025 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League Semi-final - Hull KR v St Helens - Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull, England - Oliver Gildart of Hull KR scoring a try
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com - 04/10/2025 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League Semi-final - Hull KR v St Helens - Sewell Group Craven Park, Hull, England - Oliver Gildart of Hull KR scoring a try

OLIVER Gildart put a season of injury hell behind him with a starring role to help Hull KR return to the Betfred Super League grand final.

The 29-year-old centre was sidelined from May to September after suffering a knee injury which required surgery at Magic Weekend.

But Gildart’s player of the match display on Saturday, which included two tries, helped the Robins vanquish St Helens 20-12 and set up another Old Trafford showdown with Wigan Warriors – much to both his and his family’s delight.

“It is [special], for me and the family,” Gildart told BBC Radio Humberside.

“They’ve seen me in a bit of a down patch, nobody likes being injured and it’s as tough on them as it is on myself.

“Just seeing them smiling in the stands afterwards means the world to me.”

Gildart’s injury meant he was not part of Hull KR’s Wembley triumph in the Betfred Challenge Cup final, but he can still help them secure the domestic treble after Willie Peters’ side also secured the League Leaders’ Shield.

Standing in their way are the England international’s former club Wigan, who edged out the East Hull outfit 9-2 in last year’s Super League showpiece.

Gildart believes lessons have been learnt from that experience which will stand them in good stead this time around, however, as they eye a historic clean sweep of British rugby league’s top honours.

“We know it’s there, it’s the big picture, but we’ve got some team in front of us to beat,” Gildart said.

“They beat us last year and I think we learned a lot of lessons from that, but we’re ready to go and get it won next week.

“I’m so happy to get back to Old Trafford again. We’ve been the best team all year and there was a bit of pressure.

“Semi-finals are not easy to win, but I’m really proud of the boys.”