ROHAN Smith admits he is hugely encouraged by the collective spirit in the team following his first week in charge as Bulls head coach.

The 35-year-old Australian took control last Monday and presided over Friday’s hard-fought 25-14 win at Sheffield.

The victory followed three unanswered second-half tries for Danny Williams, Adam Sidlow and Kris Welham, sealing a win which Smith felt underlined the unity in the ranks.

The new Bradford boss said: “I’ve felt that collective spirit all week and I think these guys just love playing rugby league and showing their skills.

“I don’t know what it normally feels like here because I’ve only been in charge for a week.

“But it has been a really positive first week because the boys have embraced change.

“They have had a smile on their face and they have talked a lot to each other and carried things out on the field.

“It’s great to see them loving what they do and I always feel that players should play for the love of the game first and foremost.

“If you can make a living out of it, that’s fantastic, and I thought the boys showed some of that passion on Friday.”

Smith believes homegrown hookers Adam O’Brien and Joe Lumb symbolise the desire within the team.

Smith added: “Adam and Lumby are good mates and they had a good chat the other day.

“They egg each other on and try to improve each other.

“I spoke to them about being able to produce a quality 80-minute performance but they had to share that role on Friday.

“Lumby actually showed how tough he was at the end because he got a good whack in the face but soon got himself up.

“He was a bit dazed but he stayed on his feet and he got the job done.

“I thought those two guys gave good service to the players who needed it and, from what I’ve seen of them so far, they look like promising young hookers.”

Attention now turns to Saturday’s Summer Bash showdown with Leigh at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road.

Lee Gaskell will be assessed after being withdrawn with a hamstring injury during the first half against Sheffield.

“Leigh are a strong team and we will use the break to freshen up physically and mentally,” said Smith, who attended the Magic Weekend in Newcastle on Saturday and then watched Leigh win 48-6 at Swinton yesterday.

“We’ve got a little bit longer to prepare than Leigh and I will hopefully have a few things up my sleeve to help the boys prepare for Saturday.

“I’d like to see how the guys prepare in the week before I make too many decisions on the team and I won’t just base it on the result of Friday’s game.

“We will work with the medical team to see who is available and try and put out our best 17 to face Leigh.

“If that means a couple of changes, then we will make them. You can only pick your team one week at a time, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be the same week in and week out.”