Rohan Smith on transfer market movement and Oliver Gildart speculation

Josh McAllister 14 Jul 2022 1:22 PM

Rohan Smith Leeds Rhinos SWpix — Photo: John Rushworth/SWpix

Leeds head coach Rohan Smith has discussed the club’s movement in the transfer market and has addressed speculation linking the Rhinos to Oliver Gildart.

Smith has added forward Yusuf Aydin from Wakefield on a two-week loan period.

He has been included in their squad to face Toulouse this weekend, with Smith only managing to name a 20-man team due to injuries and suspensions.

They will make the trip to France without Zane Tetevano, Matt Prior, Tom Holroyd, Muizz Mustapha and Harry Newman through suspension. Aidan Sezer, Kruise Leeming and Blake Austin miss out through injury.

Speaking about the move for 21-year-old prop Aydin, Smith said: “That came about the last couple of days. We’ve been on the look out for some reinforcements in our middle unit given the guys that are out out suspended at the moment.

“We had a conversation Tuesday and it all happened pretty quickly there.

“He’s a good, hard worker. He’s really keen to get involved in a new environment and test himself, even if it is only for a few weeks, to experience something new and challenge.

“We haven’t really been looking a lot in the loan situation. There’s been names thrown up and offered along but we’ve been focussed on getting people back from injury and suspension and working with what we’ve got.

“I’ve seen Yusuf play and I liked what I saw. But it was more of a timing issue with four middle unit players suspended at the moment.”

Leeds do welcome back Bodene Thompson from his ban and Liam Tindall from injury.

Rohan Smith on Gildart speculation

Meanwhile, the 41-year-old said he wasn’t aware of the speculation linking the Headingley Stadium side to centre Oliver Gildart.

England international Gildart, 25, has made just eight appearances for Wests Tigers in his debut season in the NRL. He has fallen out of favour at the side, featuring for feeder club Western Suburbs Magpies.

When asked about the former Wigan centre, Smith commented: “I’m not aware of any news there, despite what’s being broken. I’m not aware.”

However, he did not rule out any possibility of signing the Great Britain representative.

“There’s always a chance,” he added.

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