The Hull KR star has labelled Josh Charnley a “freak” ahead of today’s Super League clash against Leigh Leopards.
Leigh Leopards winger Josh Charnley is close second behind Ryan Hall on Super League’s all-time try-scorers.
Oliver Gildart is hoping Josh Charnley is kept quiet this weekend when Hull KR take on Leigh Leopards – but the Rovers centre has nothing but admiration for his former team-mate and close friend, describing the prolific try-scorer as a “freak”.
The two will go head-to-head at the Leigh Sports Village in Super League Round 11, with Willie Peters’ high-flying Robins chasing an eighth straight victory in all competitions after recently securing a return to Wembley in the Challenge Cup final.
Leigh are also finding form after a disrupted start to the season, with Adrian Lam’s side winning four of their last five in Super League to climb up the table.
Leopards star Charnley is locked in a scoring battle with Leeds Rhinos veteran Ryan Hall at the top of the Super League charts, while the former Wigan winger continues to climb the all-time British try-scoring list. A try on Saturday would see him draw level with Garry Schofield in joint 21st place.
And Gildart admits he is not surprised to see his old mate still delivering.
“He’s a really good friend of mine, and is somebody who really looked after me when I was a young kid coming through at Wigan,” said Gildart, with the pair having also played together in Wigan’s 2016 Grand Final victory over Warrington Wolves.
“He was the kind of player I idolised as a kid coming through the academy, so to see him at the milestone he’s at and still doing what he does is great.
“He’s a freak – he’s so athletic, and he trains the house down all the time. It’s no wonder why he’s at the top of the try-scoring charts. He’s been doing this for a long time now, and I’m pretty proud of him. He’s a great bloke, so it’s nice to see him get those accolades.
“I hope he keeps scoring – just none this weekend would be nice. But for the rest of the year, he can crack on.”
Hull KR boast eight wins from their 11 Super League clashes with Leigh, and Gildart says it is pleasing to see the Robins back to their “usual selves” ahead of another big test.
“We’re on a bit of a roll at the minute,” he said. “It was a great performance last weekend in the semi-finals, and obviously we knew the big prize at the end.
“From a team point of view, I feel we’ve been playing like our usual selves.”