Bradford Bulls preview

Burgess: Massive potential

Keeping hold of Terry Newtwon is a boost although Ian Henderson's departure will leave a big hole. He was the toughest hooker to tackle in Super League and filling his boots represents a huge challenge for Wayne Godwin.

Phil Clarke
Quotes of the week

In: Ben Jeffries, Semi Tadulala (Wakefield), Wayne Godwin (Hull), Paul Sykes (Harlequins), Simon Finnigan (Salford), Chris Nero (Huddersfield)
Out: Ian Henderson, Ben Harris (North Queensland), Nathan McAvoy (Leigh), Marcus St Hilaire (Oldham), Chris McKenna (Doncaster)

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• Bradford Bulls

It is a mark of the high standards they have set themselves in Super League that the Bulls will view last year as something of a disappointment.

Read Phil Clarke's verdict

A third-placed finish at the end of the regular season would have been good enough for most teams, and they were seen as the major contenders to the top two of St Helens and Leeds.

Even a two-point penalty for a breach of salary cap rules in 2006 and the loss of Lesley Vainikolo to rugby union didn't seem to affect them too deeply.

However, their play-off campaign was over before it had barely began, beaten at home by Wigan after leading by 24 points midway through the second half.

That defeat has left the Bulls with a bitter taste and they will be eager to make amends in 2008, with coach Steve McNamara strengthening his squad.

Simon Finnigan and Chris Nero add extra bulk to an already sizeable pack, while Wayne Godwin will work alongside Terry Newton again. The pair played together at Wigan and their different styles mean the Bulls have all bases covered at hooker.

Ben Jeffries will add a creative spark in a half-back department that was reliant on Paul Deacon and Iestyn Harris staying fit. Paul Sykes is back with Bradford after a spell in the capital and with Semi Tadulala also coming in, the backs look to have quickened up considerably.

While none of the new signings can be seen as big names, they have added depth to the entire squad and increased the competition for places.

Crucially, the Bulls also have Shontayne Hape fit from the start and Tame Tupou should have settled in following his mid-season arrival from Down Under.

Although the loss of David Solomona for the opening few weeks is a blow, Bradford look capable of lifting the Super League trophy for a sixth time.

One to watch: Sam Burgess
A star was born in 2007, leading to international honours. Bradford, and England, will hope for more of the same
Live on Sky: v Huddersfield Giants
Saturday February 16 - Sky Sports 1, 5.55pm
Regular season odds: 11/2
For a full list of odds from Sky Bet click here

Phil Clarke's verdict

Last season Bradford had a great attack despite losing Shontayne Hape to injury and towards the end of the season, Lesley Vainikolo to rugby union.

But their biggest problem was conceding too many points. The 31-30 defeat to Wigan in the play-offs was a prime example of that and will be one area they will want to improve.

On a more positive note, they seem to have recovered from Brian Noble's departure - and indeed that of Stuart Fielden - and Steve McNamara seems to be building a strong future for the Bulls.

They already possess Super League's best young player in Sam Burgess and McNamara has recently added some pretty good junior talent to the ranks.

It has been a busy close-season at Odsal and on paper it looks like they are much stronger for it. Paul Sykes, who scored no fewer than 17 tries for Harlequins last season, will add more speed to the backline and Ben Jeffries, who averaged 14 tries a season in his five years at Wakefield, will do the same as well as providing Paul Deacon with another potent kicking option.

Semi Tadulala is injured again and knowing how they love their big wingers at Bradford, they will want to get more than the first seven games out of him this time around, but they have brought in Chris Nero from Huddersfield, who I think is one of the most under-rated players in Super League. With 43 tries to his name in the last three years, he adds even more striker power to the Bulls' armoury.

Keeping hold of Terry Newtwon, despite Wigan's interest, is another boost although Ian Henderson's departure will leave a big hole. He was the toughest hooker to tackle in Super League and filling his boots represents a huge challenge for another new signing, Wayne Godwin.

Between them Newton and Henderson bagged 14 tries last season and it will be interesting to see if the new pairing can match those impressive stats.

You know the Bradford back row is always going to be strong and David Solomona - who they will want fit as soon as possible - Glenn Morrison, Jamie Langley and Sam Burgess will again provide the cornerstone for McNamara's side. Last season a third of the Bulls' tries were either scored or created by these guys, which speaks for itself.

Solomona and Morrison provided 22 tries and 21 assists between them alone but if the Bradford defence is a concern, the biggest question mark has to be who can provide those 20 to 30 tries a year that the Volcano used to?