06 February 2023 , 22:00
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Things aren’t as crazy anymore for one-time jokers Josh Charnley and Zak Hardaker - but they hope to make Leigh’s doubters a laughing stock.
When first coming together as fresh-faced 20 year-old rookies for England in 2012, their daft antics proved a big hit online. The duo filmed zany footage on the Zak And Josh Show doing their own takes of Through The Keyhole, Supermarket Sweep, Scary Movie and a charity keep-fit video. England doctor Chris Brookes is still recovering after they jumped out of his shower to scare him in one episode.
The big mates are now back together for the first time since after linking up with promoted Leigh in Super League. But they’re now 31 year-old parents and wild water swimming recovery sessions is about as wacky as it gets for ex-Wigan winger Charnley. He said: “We’re both a bit wiser. Back then we were both young kids coming through the systems.
“At Wigan, things were strict. I’m not sure what Leeds was like for Zak. But once we came together at England, we bounced off each other. Scaring the professor (Brookes) was probably the best. He still mentions that one! We’re still the same now but Zak’s got more of a serious head on him. We all have. Everyone’s grown up.
“But we still feed off each other and it’s good to be back playing with him. And you never know about another show...Something could be in the pipeline. Who knows?”
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Hardaker in action this weekend (Richard Walker/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)Charnley admits there’s some potential upcoming wise-crackers in the Leigh ranks. He said: “Everyone’s on different pages. There’s a few boys coming up who you can tell have the gift of the gab… Umyla Hanley, Tom Nisbit, Keanan Brand and Jacob Jones. It’s crazy how quick it’s going: we were the young boys then and now we’re the senior lads. But we’re still young at heart.”
Leigh, who start against Salford next Friday, have been immediately relegated all three times they’ve been promoted to Super League. They’re tipped by many for the drop again. But Charnley, who joined from Warrington in June, said: “We don’t want to be one of those teams. We want to stand on our own. Derek (Beaumont) and the board have recruited really well. We've got a good team. We will compete and hopefully shut a few people up.”
Zak Hardaker celebrates with try-scorer Josh Charnley and Ryan Hall during England's game against Wales in 2012 (ALEX WHITEHEAD/SWPIX.COM) (ALEX WHITEHEAD/SWPIX.COM)Ex-Man of Steel Hardaker is one of coach Adrian Lam’s recruits after joining from Leeds to take the full-back role. Charnley added: “Zak’s still as competitive as anything. He wants to win everything. That’s what you want in your team. He’s focused and I do think Lammy will get the best out of him.”