Bulls eyeing Magic start
Bradford Bulls prop Nick Scruton hopes victory over arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos at Magic Weekend will provide a springboard back in to the Engage Super League play-offs.
The Bulls have not featured in the play-offs since 2008 and Scruton, the former Leeds forward, believes success in Cardiff on Sunday week would be the perfect signal of intent from one of Super League’s most successful clubs.
“I can’t wait for the first game,” said Scruton. “There is no better way to start the season than with a match against Leeds Rhinos.
“Millennium Magic is such a great way to begin the season by having a full round of fixtures in one venue. I know all of the players are looking forward to it so I hope all of the fans get behind the event as well.
“It has been a long pre-season so everybody is raring to go and having such a big first game gives us even more incentive to start well.
“Everybody is desperate to have a good season and it just doesn’t seem right for Bradford to be out of the top eight so we will be looking to put that right.
“We will go out and do our best every week and I think we are in better shape this year so hopefully we can make a difference and shake things up.”
Bradford played Leeds in Magic Weekend in Cardiff in 2007 and 2008 when the Bulls lost on both occasions, as long-serving back rower Jamie Langley is all too aware.
“It’s a great stadium to play in but not a place to lose,” said Langley, who is hoping for bumper support from the Bradford faithful for a match which kicks off at 2.00 on Sunday February 13.
“Hopefully we will get plenty of fans to turn out for the game because it will be a great match and a great occasion.
“We need a big start to the season, if you get a good start it is easier to get the momentum going.
“At this time of the year everybody gets really excited for the new season, we have been starved of regular games and we have been working really hard in pre-season training so I cannot wait to get stuck in again.
“We have some new faces in the team and coaching staff so there have been a lot of changes but we have prepared really well and hopefully that shows when the season starts.”
