Bradford Bulls v Halifax: Super 8s Qualifiers preview
Last Updated: 26/09/15 3:20pm
Bradford will be aiming to keep alive their hopes of gaining home advantage in the Million Pound Game when they host Halifax in their final match of the Super 8s Qualifiers on Saturday.
The Bulls are assured of a spot in next Saturday's crucial fourth-versus-fifth clash to determine the 12th and final place in Super League for 2016 but, as the table stands now, they will be away to Wakefield.
Victory over Halifax, who are aiming for a sixth-place finish to guarantee a bigger share of central funding, would mean the Wildcats having to win their final game against Sheffield Eagles at Bramall Lane on Sunday to ensure the game takes place in front of a full house at Belle Vue.
"The importance of Saturday's game should not be played down in any way," said Bradford managing director Steve Ferres. "There is lots at stake for both us and our opponents.
"If Halifax pull off a victory, or even lose out narrowly, the rewards for next season could be game changing.
"And, for us, a win could be monumental in potentially giving us home advantage in arguably the biggest game of the club's recent history.
"We all know what is at stake over the next 10 days and everyone is nervous, yet very excited."
The Bulls are boosted by the return from injury of stand-off Lee Gaskell, the newly-crowned Championship player of the season, but, with an eye on next week, coach James Lowes rests Danny Addy, Dale Ferguson, Adrian Purtell, Tom Olbison and Adam O'Brien.
Halifax go into Saturday's game buoyed by the news that they have secured overseas forwards Mitch Cahalane and Adam Tangata until the end of the 2017 season.
On Friday Tangata was called up by the Cook Islands for their 2017 World Cup qualifier against Tonga next month.
Bradford Bulls: Jean-Philippe Baile, Jay Pitts, Ryan Shaw, Danny Williams, Epalahame Lauaki, Harry Siejka, Danny Addy, Vila Halafihi, Adam Sidlow, Jake Mullaney, Dane Nielsen, Matty Blythe, James Clare, Lucas Walshaw, Alex Mellor, Steve Crossley, Adam Henry, Paul Clough, Matt Ryan.
Halifax: Luke Ambler, Andy Bracek, Mitchell Cahalane, Jake Ecclestone, Jacob Fairbank, Ben Heaton, Ben Johnston, Ben Kaye, Ryan Maneely, Dane Manning, Richard Moore, Scott Murrell, Connor Robinson, James Saltonstall, Tommy Saxton, Jack Spencer, Adam Tangata, Steve Tyrer, Mikey Wood.
Watch Bradford v Halifax live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Saturday from 3pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.