Heath L’Estrange all revved up for Super League kick-off with Bradford Bulls

8:10am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Bulls joint-captain Heath L’Estrange joined his counterparts from the other 13 clubs for the launch of Super League XVIII at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester Bulls joint-captain Heath L’Estrange joined his counterparts from the other 13 clubs for the launch of Super League XVIII at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester

Heath L’Estrange has declared himself fit for action as he sets his sights on putting Wakefield to the sword this weekend and establishing himself as the Bulls’ first-choice starting hooker.

The club’s joint-captain enjoyed a fine game in the first pre-season friendly against Dewsbury but played no part in Danny McGuire’s testimonial against Leeds nine days ago.

He was nursing a slight ankle injury then but says there are no fears over his availability for Sunday’s opener against Richard Agar’s men.

L’Estrange is determined that the Bulls get off to a winning start in the first Super League game of Francis Cummins’ reign and is hoping to get the nod to start the match ahead of fellow joint-skipper Matt Diskin.

L’Estrange, speaking while attending the Super League launch at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester yesterday, said: “Will I be fit for Sunday? Definitely.

“I went over on my ankle during training in the snow two days before the Leeds game but it’s fine now.

“I could have played at a push but it wasn’t worth it for a friendly and now I’m fit I really want to cement my place as the starting hooker.

“I came over here and worked well with Wagga (Wayne Godwin) in my first year and am now working well with Disko.

“I’m happy with the way everything is going at the moment but I would like to get that starting job back.

“That’s up to Franny and whether he chooses me or Disko. But I’m enjoying training and there is definitely a good buzz about the club at the moment.”

The Bulls beat Wakefield home and away last season and another victory this weekend would be the perfect way to begin the new campaign.

L’Estrange is wary of the threat posed by Agar’s side after they reached the play-offs last year on the back of a club-record seven successive wins.

The Aussie said: “Wakefield are a tricky side and they’ve recruited well. Richard Agar is a good coach who knows what he’s doing – but we’re just focused on what we do and on getting the result.

“Just being here at the Etihad Stadium and meeting all the other captains gives you a buzz and I can’t wait for the season to start now.”

L’Estrange and Cummins were joined at Manchester City’s home ground yesterday by John Bateman, who will miss the start of the season as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction.

But Bateman has been handed a major boost after being invited to the senior England set-up for the first time.

The 19-year-old back-rower, who captained the England Academy side on their tour of Australia last year, is now poised to make the step up into the England Knights squad.

Steve McNamara’s elite training squad and Knights group will congregate in Bury tomorrow, meeting up for the first time since last year’s autumn internationals.

Bateman said: “I got an e-mail to invite me to the squad and was pretty happy about it. I’ve wanted to take the next step up ever since the end of last year when I played for the under-18s.

“It’s good to test yourself against the best and I’m looking forward to being involved in it this week. Hopefully I can take the next step.”

Bulls scrum half Luke Gale, currently sidelined after ankle surgery, will also attend the Wednesday meeting after playing for the Knights at the end of last season.

Comments(19)

Solomon Grundy says...
8:29am Tue 29 Jan 13

Gearing up for the start now, cannot wait. COYB!!!!!

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wembley bound says...
9:03am Tue 29 Jan 13

How's the prop situation Solomon?
On a lighter note lets have everyone's predictions.

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Prycey says...
9:31am Tue 29 Jan 13

I would be happy with 8th place this year and a set of financial books that balance properly so that Franny can start looking in the summer to bring in a couple of experienced players for the start of next season. Steady improvement on and off the pitch over the next 3-4 years will do me. Walk before we try and run. Can't wait for Sunday and all that summer rugby. Will I need my shorts and T-Shirt at the weekend?

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bullybullman says...
10:25am Tue 29 Jan 13

I think we will finish 8th this year too & I hope we have good cup run. Cas , Wakey , London , Salford , are deffo behind us imo. I think the Saints will struggle this season HKR could also finish below us.

Warrington
Wigan
Leeds
Hull
Catalans
Huddersfield
Saints
Bradford
HKR
Wakefield
Cas
Salford
London
Widnes

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Van Bellen's Baby says...
10:38am Tue 29 Jan 13

That perrenial misery-guts Gary Schofield has predicted we will finish 10th in Rugby League Express!

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Van Bellen's Baby says...
10:50am Tue 29 Jan 13

I see that rlfans.com thinks we will be 10th as well with HKR and Cas finishing above us. See http://www.rlfans.co
m/indexmain.php?fid=
0&id=997 for more.

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AdeyG'man says...
11:07am Tue 29 Jan 13

Let them think what they want. We have some quality players, got rid of some deadwood and hopefully we'll keep them fit for better part of the season and we'll trouble some of the old timers knocking about (warrington!)

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Prycey says...
11:48am Tue 29 Jan 13

We do have some good experienced players and some very good young players. The young ones may need another year or so but those that are 20+ years old should now start performing as I do think that when you hit the twenties you are maturing a little apart from the props who need longer. This season will depend on injuries. A few and we should hold our own against half of the league and surprise some of the top 4 on occasions. Many injuries in key positions and we could struggle with all teams. Fingers crossed. It’s all good fun though however we go. It’s better than going to work and gives true fans something to look forward to all week!

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Blackie-Lawless says...
11:53am Tue 29 Jan 13

Van Bellen's Baby wrote:
That perrenial misery-guts Gary Schofield has predicted we will finish 10th in Rugby League Express!
i wouldnt read too much it to Cod eyes predictions. he might have been a decent player but as a coach and a pundit he has been found lacking .
I reckon we will finish in the 8 , but more importantly is finishing in the black, it's only a few short months since we almost had no club at all so i look forward to seeing how we progress this year but am not expecting mirracles. it's a rebuilding process and Rome wasnt built in a day as the saying goes. but we might just cause a few upsets along the way.

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Steam Pigs says...
12:35pm Tue 29 Jan 13

Blackie-Lawless wrote:
Van Bellen's Baby wrote:
That perrenial misery-guts Gary Schofield has predicted we will finish 10th in Rugby League Express!
i wouldnt read too much it to Cod eyes predictions. he might have been a decent player but as a coach and a pundit he has been found lacking .
I reckon we will finish in the 8 , but more importantly is finishing in the black, it's only a few short months since we almost had no club at all so i look forward to seeing how we progress this year but am not expecting mirracles. it's a rebuilding process and Rome wasnt built in a day as the saying goes. but we might just cause a few upsets along the way.
Post of the day Blackie

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Thee Voice of Reason says...
12:40pm Tue 29 Jan 13

Bulls will be lucky to break into the top 10.

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wembley bound says...
3:03pm Tue 29 Jan 13

Lets have this weeks prediction


Bulls 14-24 wakefield.

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Parz says...
4:27pm Tue 29 Jan 13

wembley bound wrote:
Lets have this weeks prediction Bulls 14-24 wakefield.
Pretty much same score but other way round for me. Bulls 24- 12 Wakey.

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olicanabull says...
5:39pm Tue 29 Jan 13

B'ullybullman thinks Saints will struggle this year. This is the most unlikely prediction I've heard so far. Saints look formidably strong particularly with the recruiting of Willy Manu. I can't see them outside the top three.

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olicanabull says...
5:41pm Tue 29 Jan 13

B'ullybullman thinks Saints will struggle this year. This is the most unlikely prediction I've heard so far. Saints look formidably strong particularly with the recruiting of Willy Manu. I can't see them outside the top three.

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olicanabull says...
5:41pm Tue 29 Jan 13

B'ullybullman thinks Saints will struggle this year. This is the most unlikely prediction I've heard so far. Saints look formidably strong particularly with the recruiting of Willy Manu. I can't see them outside the top three.

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bullslad17 says...
6:01pm Tue 29 Jan 13

olicanabull wrote:
B'ullybullman thinks Saints will struggle this year. This is the most unlikely prediction I've heard so far. Saints look formidably strong particularly with the recruiting of Willy Manu. I can't see them outside the top three.
Spot on. I'd go for:

Wire
Saints
Wigan
Leeds
Catalans
Hull
Bradford
Huddersfield
Hull KR
Wakefield
London
Castleford
Widnes
Salford

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wembley bound says...
9:04pm Tue 29 Jan 13

Only 2 of us predicting this weeks result instead people predicting finishing league positions.
What's this weeks Lotto numbers bullslad17

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Adeybull says...
11:58pm Tue 29 Jan 13

Blackie-Lawless wrote:
Van Bellen's Baby wrote:
That perrenial misery-guts Gary Schofield has predicted we will finish 10th in Rugby League Express!
i wouldnt read too much it to Cod eyes predictions. he might have been a decent player but as a coach and a pundit he has been found lacking .
I reckon we will finish in the 8 , but more importantly is finishing in the black, it's only a few short months since we almost had no club at all so i look forward to seeing how we progress this year but am not expecting mirracles. it's a rebuilding process and Rome wasnt built in a day as the saying goes. but we might just cause a few upsets along the way.
Good to see one or two sensible folk still bother to post on this troll-wrecked anarchaic forum.

Excellent post, sir. Spot on.

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