Bradford Bulls boss Kurt Haggerty hails 'fantastic' Leeds Rhinos, outlines plan to beat them at Magic Weekend
Bradford Bulls coach Kurt Haggerty has given a glowing assessment of Magic Weekend opponents Leeds Rhinos and outlined his side’s plan to beat them.
Rhinos are top of Betfred Super League, on a five-match winning run and beat Bulls 24-12 at Odsal three months ago, but only after trailing at half-time. “They are physical, talented and they’ve got some fantastic personnel,” Haggerty said of the side his men will face in front of the Sky Sports cameras at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday. “They play a fantastic brand of rugby, but can back it up with their D [defence]. They are a very good team.”
Leeds are near full-strength, but have a less than stellar record at Magic Weekend having won 10 and lost eight of their fixtures since the event began at Cardiff in 2007. Four of their victories were against Bradford, who have lost six of their seven Magic matches.
Of how Bulls can stop Rhinos, who crushed defending champions Hull KR 34-8 last weekend, Haggerty stressed: “We have got to complete high for a start and then be physical defensively. If we don’t complete against Leeds they are good enough to score points from anywhere on the field. We have got to complete high, make sure we kick the ball well and build the game from there.”
Promoted Bulls have exceeded outside expectations by winning five of their 16 top-flight games so far, but all those victories have been at home. Haggerty admitted Sunday would be the perfect time to break their duck away from Odsal.
He said: “It is my biggest bugbear and frustration at the moment with my team, we haven’t got that win on the road yet and that is really starting to irritate me. There would be no bigger game to go and get it.”
Bulls play Rhinos in Sunday’s second match, before the weekend closes with a showdown between St Helens and Wigan Warriors. That means the event’s biggest crowd is likely to be in the stadium for the West Yorkshire derby, but Haggerty stressed: “It is not a Grand Final or a Challenge Cup. It is just another game and another stadium.
“We will build it up as no bigger than a usual Super League game. It’s just in a different place, but I think the atmosphere will be incredible.”
That said, he insisted: “I’ve been involved in a couple and they are great occasions, having all the fans in one place. For us as the Bulls, being back in Super League and playing our neighbours in a derby, it is a huge occasion and we are looking forward to it.
“It’s good for our boys to play on a big stage. I am a Manchester United fan so to go to Everton for me is a bit of a grey area, but it’s a great occasion and a big day for the club. I hope there’s loads of Bulls fans who come down and celebrate and enjoy the day and come and watch us perform and have a crack like we do every week.”