Bradford Bulls: Now I feel like one of the lads, says Murphy (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford Bulls: Now I feel like one of the lads, says Jobe Murphy

8:00am Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in Sport By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Jobe Murphy’s performance against Leeds has convinced the Bulls rookie he is ready to make the grade in Super League this season.

The 20-year-old second-rower followed his impressive display against Dewsbury with another tenacious performance off the bench in Danny McGuire’s testimonial against Leeds.

Last year Murphy sustained an ankle ligament tear which sidelined him for 12 weeks and then suffered a tendon tear in his right hand, putting him out of action for another two months.

He now looks ripe to establish himself in Francis Cummins’ plans after putting last year’s injury-plagued campaign behind him.

“I just felt proud to be a part of the team on Sunday,” said Murphy.

“I was pinching myself to be playing at Headingley in a Leeds versus Bradford game against so many top players.

“Although I was in the squad last year, I never felt part of anything. Now I feel involved in everything.

“With all respect to Dewsbury the week before, playing against the Super League and World Club champions doesn’t get much bigger.

“I was delighted to get some good minutes under my belt and I just want to make that first Super League appearance now.

“I like to think that I play on the front foot and get stuck in. I’ve had limited first-team opportunities so I’ve got to make the most of every chance I get.”

Murphy’s performance against the Rhinos earned him praise from Cummins but the former Siddal amateur accepts that forcing his way into the top 17 will still take some doing.

He has been linked with a switch to Championship outfit Dewsbury in order to play regular first-team rugby.

Murphy reasoned: “I don’t want to leave the Bulls squad but first-team rugby is first-team rugby.

“Whether I’ve got to go and put in a couple of games at Dewsbury, I’ll put one hundred per cent in, as I always do.

“I’m not naive. There is a top 17 at Bradford and I’m number 22, so I know there is a pecking order.

“But if I do well with all the opportunities I get then hopefully it will be good enough.

“It’s the last year of my contract so hopefully I can cement a place in the side and earn a new deal.”

The Bulls were forced to cancel training yesterday owing to the weather and today's Media Day, schedule for today, has also been postponed until next Tuesday.