Bradford Bulls V London Broncos - Preview

With their off-field future secure, London Broncos seek to continue their impressive start to the season on the pitch when they visit Bradford Bulls in the engage Super League.

The Broncos ran up a club record 72-8 win over Wakefield before revelations of their financial crisis threatened to undo all the good work.

The club was wound up with ?3million worth of debts last week but they received the thumbs up at Friday?s emergency meeting to continue in Super League under a new company.

Tony Rea, who has been with the Broncos since 1994 initially as player and chief executive and now head coach, admits the uncertainty was a worry and he was relieved over the outcome.

?I wouldn?t say it hasn?t been an issue that we?ve had to deal with as players and coaching staff but it certainly has not been our focus,? said Rea.

?We?ve worked well as a unit since last week and all we are looking for is to make continued progress across the season and to continue to enjoy our football.

?It?s pleasing to see that we are a welcome, and important, part of the game.?

Bulls coach Brian Noble, who lost out to the Broncos in the pursuit of New Zealand international Vinnie Anderson, has been impressed by Rea?s recruitment this season and is expecting a stern challenge.

?In some ways it will be our toughest test this week,? he said. ?They have had a major change round in personnel and have brought in some high quality players.

?I have watched their last three games and believe me they are a very adept outfit, both in attack and defence. They have brought in some good players, in Leuluai, Dorn, Hopkins and McLinden and a player such as Haumono has added a lot of size to them.

?When you play London you know just what you are going to get; a very professional outfit, full of Australian experience who come at you and get in your face to try and stop you playing.

?They have worked very hard in the last three games and we will have to make sure the improvement we made last week steps up even further.?

Bradford Bulls v London Broncos, Odsal Stadium, Sunday March 6 2005

Bradford 18-man squad: Pratt, Deacon, Vagana, Fielden, Harris, Johnson, Langley, Lynch, Meyers, Parker, Paul, Peacock, K. Pryce, Vainikolo, L. Pryce, Radford, Reardon, Smith.

London 18-man squad: Sykes, McLinden, Leuluai, Stephenson, Budworth, Bradley-Qalilawa, Tookey, Armour, Lolohea, Purdham, Hopkins, Haumono, Mbu, Smith, Dorn, Lucky Luisi, Greenwood, Trindall.

Thanks to: http://www.superleague.co.uk for another excellent article.