Bulls ready to charge at Wildcats in ‘million pound game’

Bradford Bulls and Wakefield Wildcats have been confirmed as the two teams who will contest the ‘Million Pound Game’ to conclude the Qualifiers section of the Super 8s.

The Bulls’ 32-16 win over Leigh at the weekend saw them confirmed as fifth-placed finishers, once Wakefield had beaten Halifax 30-12 at Belle Vue on Sunday.

Either Bradford or Wakefield could yet finish fourth, which would guarantee a home tie for the Million Pound Game.

The Bulls have a home game against Halifax this weekend, while Wakefield must play Sheffield Eagles at Bramall Lane.

 “I do not care where it is played, I am just glad to be in it,” Bradford coach James Lowes told his club’s official website.

“Let’s just get through this weekend first, then we will worry about whether it is at home or away. It is always nice to play at home but let’s see.”

Wakefield coach Brian Smith was pleased with the way his team handled Halifax, after being disrupted in the week leading up the game by the story involving Kevin Locke, Tim Smith and Reece Lynne, and their alleged driving exploits.

“We had to win today to make sure that next week [at Sheffield Eagles] was important for us. We did that,” he said, according to the Wakefield Express.

“It took a long time to get dominance over Halifax. They were very well organised. They’ve got a plan and they know how to play towards that plan.

“I reckon they did that pretty well today too. But they brought some pretty strong tackling at some stages too and made out guys really earn it.

“There are a couple who will still be unavailable next week. Some players will be returning from injury and we will probably have maybe three or four different guys to add to that squad.”