It appears that BULLS specialises in acquiring and repairing “broken” Super League players.
Following their terrible stints at Hull, Jayden Okunbor and Franklin Pele were given new leases on life last year. The former signed a new contract with the Odsal club earlier this week.
And after joining the Bulls over the winter, Waqa Blake—who was largely criticised as a failure at St Helens—has already scored seven tries this season, making him and Okunbor maybe the most effective right edge in the Betfred Championship.
Konrad Hurrell, a Tongan giant, has now joined the team as a centre who has struggled while playing for Saints and Leeds.
“You just need to look at the footage of Konrad, wherever he’s been he’s made an impact,” head coach Brian Noble told the T&A at Tong when he first had his shot at the Bulls on a two-week loan.
Even if there are undoubtedly doubts about him, I’m not the only one who believes he can succeed.
However, as long as he wants to play, he is a box office success for our squad and club, and he has so far done everything correctly.
He has been attending every one of our training sessions at Tong, and I believe he already recognises that there is a certain (feelgood) energy about the area.
“I know Konrad is a proud man who will want to succeed for himself, regardless of anything else.”
Given that Gill and James Donaldson are probably going to miss Sunday’s home league match against York due to injuries sustained during the team’s victory over Doncaster, he will most likely get his opportunity to contribute.
Tom Holmes and Jordan Lilley are more likely to be in the running, but Noble is hesitant to handle the latter’s return because he hasn’t played since early March.
The injuries to the chest sustained against Toulouse contributed to a crushing loss in France, and the Bulls were eliminated when they lost their subsequent league match, more unexpectedly against Barrow at home.
However, they have now won seven straight Championship games, and they will have their best run in the competition in ten years if they defeat York on Sunday to make it eight.
“It’s tough, the Championship, and we’ve got one of the toughest opposition sides this weekend,” Noble says, refusing to take comfort in his consistency or become comfortable.
“York are no mugs, and they’re on a very good run themselves.
“I hope we can demonstrate our genuine value this weekend because I respect their head coach (Mark Applegarth) and the way they conduct themselves.”
That value was demonstrated against Doncaster two weeks ago when the Bulls overcame a deficit to win 30–22 despite having only 14 healthy players at the end of the game.
Noble thought, “We demonstrated aspects of our pre-season in the final 10 or 15 minutes, but the disruption throughout the game obviously affected our fluidity.”
Because we are a fit team, we were able to accomplish our goals at the very end.
“We’re looking forward to our next challenge this Sunday after a very good victory under trying circumstances.”
