Steve McNamara reckons red-hot rookie Dave Halley is an example of a new-breed of full back.

The youngster is currently one of Super League's in-form No 1s, despite starting the campaign down the pecking order at Odsal as a winger.

Speedster Halley stepped in against Leeds over Easter when Michael Platt was injured and has been a leading Bradford performer ever since.

He has kept fit-again Platt out of the side for the last two matches and showed why with another bright showing in Sunday's 26-12 success against Wigan.

Although Halley is small for a full back at just 5ft 8in, McNamara - without stand-off Ben Jeffries for a month due to a hamstring tear - sees a resemblance to some of the lightweight stars currently operating in the NRL.

"I've been pleasantly surprised," said the Bradford chief, referring to Halley's transformation.

"We recognised a potential little niche for him last year and encouraged him to go to full back in the Reserve Grade and get more involvement.

"He brings speed to the middle of the park and injects himself in when the halves are playing.

"That's still a big area he can improve on further but he does have the ability to play quick.

"You see other smaller guys at full back doing that, especially in Australia.

"There's people like Billy Slater and Preston Campbell and they can play a different type of role for you."

However, it was the manner in which Halley fielded and returned Wigan kicks that proved a real catalyst in the weekend's Super League triumph.

McNamara admits the 21-year-old continues to impress, saying: "I thought Dave was great.

"The way he dealt with Wigan's last plays was excellent.

"He caught balls on the full, and his depth and positional play were vital.

"Dave stops that ball bouncing, going another 10, 15 or 20 metres and putting us on the back foot.

"Competition for places is there now though because Michael Platt is back and played with the Reserve Grade beforehand.

"He was not quite fit enough to play first team but he went very well.

"Dave got the nod against Wigan and responded magnificently but it's a very healthy position for us to be in."

It will be a big call for McNamara to see who gets the role against Leeds in Cardiff on Saturday night.

Platt scored twice versus the Rhinos at Millennium Magic last year but Halley, who has played the last seven games at No 1, is stamping his mark.

The Bulls will be without another form player - Jeffries - against Leeds after he was injured during the Wigan victory.

The Australian isn't likely to feature until Bradford face the Rhinos again at Odsal on May 23.

However, Andy Lynch will be available despite having to visit the club dentist yesterday to have a splint inserted to hold in place four of his lower teeth.

They were fractured following an ugly injury caused when trying to tackle Wigan's Gareth Hock.

Hock is up before an RFL disciplinary panel tonight, charged with using his elbow in that challenge and the Great Britain second-rower also faces a charge of allegedly punching Bulls' David Solomona. He could be banned for up to six games.