Past meetings count for nothing

6:55pm Friday 2nd May 2008

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Excited Steve McNamara is adamant his Bulls side can come full circle and inflict a rare defeat on arch-rivals Leeds tomorrow night.

Bradford have won just once in the last seven meetings between the clubs and it is only six weeks ago since the Rhinos destroyed them 44-2.

But the boss is sure his improving side can force a quick turnaround and swiftly redress the balance.

They have only suffered one defeat themselves since, at Hull KR, and performed magnificently to slay Wigan last weekend.

"We are definitely confident - winning certainly helps that - and we are a confident bunch anyway," explained McNamara.

"But the players realise they are facing a difficult game tonight and that previous form and results count for nothing. We have to turn up on the day and play and if we do that then we have a good chance of taking the two points.

"We under-performed the last time we faced Leeds at Headingley. There were lots of possible reasons why that happened but we took it on the chin, understood that we got our backsides kicked and now we must go out and perform better in Cardiff."

McNamara insists there will be no hangover from last season's chaotic scenes at Millennium Magic, when lucky Leeds profited at the death due to some referee clangers.

He maintained: "Last year's game is not in our thoughts at all. We were part of some drama that will be talked about for many years and will go down in the annals of the game but as far as we are concerned that's gone and we are just focusing on a win.

"We are more concerned about last week's performance and how we can improve on that."

McNamara remains a fan of the Cardiff concept, where a full round of Super League fixtures are played out over a weekend at the Millennium Stadium.

He said: "The atmosphere last year was great. It wasn't the biggest of crowds in a stadium like that but it certainly had a great atmosphere. It had a cup final feel to it and I hope it can be at least replicated and hopefully improved on this year.

"I think there will be a few more there this year and maybe it will be even better - but I would be just as excited about this game if we were playing it on Odsal Rec!

"It's that close, it's that tight and that's what we have to focus on; the performance and result of the game, rather than the occasion.

"We were part of some drama last year but let's hope we are part of some more this time in a very good game with a different result."

The Bulls are likely to make just once change to the starting 13, with Iestyn Harris replacing the injured Ben Jeffries at stand-off. Wayne Godwin returns from a shoulder injury to take Harris's place among the replacements.

Still without front-rowers Joe Vagana and Chris Feather, McNamara could call on the muscle of Tame Tupou as an extra forward, with the Kiwi winger having featured at prop and second row for the Reserve Grade recently.

Tupou may come into contention for a bench spot after being drafted in to the 19-man squad yesterday.

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