Bradford Bulls hooker says Widnes offer similar test to York

He told the T&A: “Our discipline was poor at York.

“We know they kick well, especially to the corners, and complete high and that’s what they managed to do on Sunday.

“We did the opposite, and the good kicking and completion we were after just wasn’t there.

“We kept letting York in and in the end we allowed them to grind us out of the game.”

And that is something Bulls are conscious of not repeating at Odsal this Sunday, especially given Widnes have already beaten them once there this season, in the Challenge Cup fourth round back in February.

Souter said: “Widnes are a great team, who actually play a lot like York.

“We weren’t our best in that cup game either and it was similar to last weekend, where our opponents completed high, kicked well and ground us out of the game.

“Widnes will give us a good test on Sunday and we need to show we can play that brand of footy, as well as defend against it, because that’s twice we’ve lost against that style now.

Bulls were not at their best at home to Widnes in February, tumbling out of the Challenge Cup as a result. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

“It’ll be a real challenge this weekend but it’s a game I’m excited for.”

And Souter insists the side have not been rocked by losing to York, saying: “We’ve just got to crack on and do what we’ve been doing.

“That was only our third competitive defeat all season and given how many games we’ve played so far, that means we must be doing something right.

“Clearly we’ve got to go back to the drawing board a bit after York, but it’ll just be a case of soaking up what went wrong in the review of the game and learning from our mistakes.”

Speaking of learning, Souter admitted the hookers at the club all bounce off each other.

He, Tyran Ott and George Flanagan are all naturals in that position, while the likes of Jordan Lilley and Billy Jowitt have proven their ability at number nine in the past too.

Souter said: “Hooker is one position where we’re fairly loaded and we’re lucky to have the ability we do in there.

“As a group, we bounce ideas off each other and help each other out.

“For example, if I’m starting, I’ll come in at half-time and will seek out George, as he’ll give his take on what he’s seen out there.

“I do that because I respect his opinion and him as a player and person, and that’s quite a typical exchange between team-mates at this club, which shows the good culture we have here at Bulls.”

That extends to outside of rugby league too, with Souter helping out newer Aussie arrivals Ott and Zac Fulton in the same way he was looked after when he first arrived from Down Under late last year.

Tyran Ott and Mitch Souter smile for the camera after the former's debut, Bulls' 29-10 win over Halifax at Odsal on Good Friday. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

He said: “The best thing about them both is that that they’re just unreal blokes to be around, like the rest of the lads here.

“They’ve fitted in well, and when it is just the three of us, we get to reminisce about the things we miss from Australia, like the sunny weather.

“When I came, players like Eribe Doro and Dan Okoro took me under their wing and showed me round, just making sure I wasn’t sat at home all by myself.

“I’m just returning that favour now with the likes of Tyran and Zac.

“I just want to know those newer guys have got what’s needed, as it’s something that went a long way for me when I first arrived, so I hope they feel the same now I’m reciprocating that.”