It's an unwritten rule that outside backs signed from the Super League don't make great NRL recruits.
Ryan Hall, Zak Hardaker and Sam Tomkins all failed to hit the heights expected of them, with Irishman Brian Carney the only overseas back to have left a considerable mark on the competition.
New Wests Tigers centre Oliver Gildart is hoping to change that perception when he makes his NRL debut in their season opener against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday.
Gildart signed from Wigan over the summer and is aware that history is against him.
"I know it's true that a lot of lads have come over here and not done very well or gone home early," he said.
"I'm my own person and I've come here to lock down a starting spot and have a successful career.
"I just want to come here and enjoy my rugby."
Even for an English back Gildart is on the smaller side, tipping the scales at 86kg and standing 181cm tall.
Starting with the job of marking Melbourne centre Reimis Smith on Saturday, the 25-year-old hopes to compensate for a lack of brawn with his pace.
"I'm not the biggest of lads but I like to think I'm skilful and I have a bit of speed," he said.
"I think my game might suit the NRL because I know they're trying to speed it up.
"I've watched him (Smith) play for the last few years and I always keep an eye on the opponents I could be coming up against.
"I've come up against big lads all my career. It makes it a harder night but I take that as a personal challenge."
Gildart is aware he is joining a club that is enduring the longest finals drought in NRL history and one where coach Michael Maguire is under significant pressure before a ball has been kicked.
The two-time Super League champion got a sneak peak into life at the Tigers when he watched a fly-on-the-wall documentary about the club last year but said he wasn't perturbed by Maguire's no-nonsense style.
"It was eye-opening to see how Madge works," he said.
"I came over expecting Madge to be some kind of maniac.
"He's been brilliant to me personally and I've not seen that side of him and hopefully I never have to."
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Dominik Young is carving up the Rorters..
Dominik Young is carving up the Rorters..
Is he coming to the WT's ??
Not sure there were a lot a signs he will succeed.
I won’t say his actual defence was bad, but the defensive reads were terrible
Garry Schofield the best along with Widdop ??
Garry Schofield the best along with Widdop ??
Tbh i always felt GS was good for wests and balmain. In 1990 and 92 he was outstanding for GB so it lifts his contribution for both clubs in some peoples eyes. Hanley at centre for the tigers in 88 was better than Schofield at balmain.
Garry Schofield the best along with Widdop ??
Tbh i always felt GS was good for wests and balmain. In 1990 and 92 he was outstanding for GB so it lifts his contribution for both clubs in some peoples eyes. Hanley at centre for the tigers in 88 was better than Schofield at balmain.
Not this argument again ...Hanley best spot was lock ...where the Poms primarily picked him ...
Garry Schofield the best along with Widdop ??
Tbh i always felt GS was good for wests and balmain. In 1990 and 92 he was outstanding for GB so it lifts his contribution for both clubs in some peoples eyes. Hanley at centre for the tigers in 88 was better than Schofield at balmain.
Not this argument again ...Hanley best spot was lock ...where the Poms primarily picked him ...
Not disagreeing. Hanley was a lock. However he was better at centre than GS was at centre for balmain. GS was better at 5/8 for GB than he was a NSWRL player.
Garry Schofield the best along with Widdop ??
Tbh i always felt GS was good for wests and balmain. In 1990 and 92 he was outstanding for GB so it lifts his contribution for both clubs in some peoples eyes. Hanley at centre for the tigers in 88 was better than Schofield at balmain.
Not this argument again ...Hanley best spot was lock ...where the Poms primarily picked him ...
Not disagreeing. Hanley was a lock. However he was better at centre than GS was at centre for balmain. GS was better at 5/8 for GB than he was a NSWRL player.
Poms best backline in that era was Andy Gregory at 7 Edwards at 6 Schofield in the centres
One one hand, I see Gildart as somewhat handicapped in the NRL due to his physical size.
On the other hand, I see a smart footy player. And I'm totally over the big dumb players...
One one hand, I see Gildart as somewhat handicapped in the NRL due to his physical size.
On the other hand, I see a smart footy player. And I'm totally over the big dumb players...
As long as he can hold his own in defence - I think he'll bring a point of difference in attack. You can tell he has confidence
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