McNamara to field strongest squad available for final warm-up game at Hull KR (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

McNamara to field strongest squad available for final warm-up game at Hull KR

7:20am Wednesday 27th January 2010 in

By Connor Murphy » Bradford Bulls Reporter

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Matt Orford is set to make his long-awaited Bradford debut as part of a full-strength side for tomorrow’s friendly at Hull KR (8pm).

The Bulls’ high-profile off-season acquisition starts at scrum half for the first time after missing out on his side’s previous pre-season trial games.

A trip to Leeds Rhinos on January 17 came just too early for ‘the Ox’, who had only arrived in the country two weeks previously, while head coach Steve McNamara opted to go with a youthful side at Dewsbury on Friday. But now, with the start of Super League only nine days away, the 31-year-old Aussie is ready to make his bow.

“It’s the strongest group that we’ve got at this moment in time,” said McNamara of his selection.

“Certainly we’ve been able to get a good look at all our seniors and all our juniors over the three games.

“Now we’re looking to narrow that group down and go with the strongest squad we believe we have available and do some serious prep for round one.

“Obviously the interchange will be important this week because we want to run as close to a game as we can. We’re not going to be making 20 or 25 interchanges this week.

“I know we’re carrying a few extra players there but we’ll see how the game pans out.”

Danny Sculthorpe (back) and Michael Platt (knee) are the only first-team squad members ruled out, with both set to be sidelined for around three weeks.

But McNamara was quick to stress that players excluded from the 19-man squad can still stake their claim in training for a spot in the Super League opener at Huddersfield on February 5.

He found it particularly tough to leave out 18-year-old back-rower Tom Olbison after he impressed in the 24-24 draw at Dewsbury.

McNamara said: “We’ve named 19 for the weekend but I think Tom was particularly good last week and looks like he’s ready to push on.

“We’ve got to get through this game and see how we do. Hopefully we don’t pick anything up in this game and we’ll be able to select from a reasonably healthy squad the week after.”

Bulls team to face Hull KR: Dave Halley; Rikki Sheriffe, Paul Sykes, Chris Nero, Stuart Reardon; Brett Kearney, Matt Orford; Andy Lynch, Heath L’Estrange, Nick Scruton, Glenn Hall, Jamie Langley, Steve Menzies. Replacements: Craig Kopczak, Wayne Godwin, James Donaldson, Elliott Whitehead, Mike Worrincy, Jason Crookes.

Comments(24)

Steampig says...
8:27am Wed 27 Jan 10

Glad to see he is going with pretty much the strongest squad. I would have prefered to see the new halves have more than 1 trial game playing together prior to the season starting next week but i guess it has had to be this way due to time restraints, They will be professional enough to learn from each other quickly though. Lets just hope that we dont pick up any injuries !