The Bradford Bulls face a significant setback as one of their new recruits is expected to be sidelined for the opening month of the Super League season. Head coach Kurt Haggerty has indicated that fans will have to wait until March or April to see Will Gardiner on the field again, due to a hamstring injury.
This past Sunday marked a noteworthy occasion for the Bulls, as they made their debut in the Super League, triumphing over Doncaster with a score of 30-12 at the Eco-Power Stadium. During the match, the team showcased their impressive offensive capabilities, with seven different players including Esan Marsters, Jayden Nikorima, Waqa Blake, Luke Hooley, Zac Fulton, and Jamie Gill crossing the try line, even in challenging weather conditions.
Haggerty’s starting lineup was predominantly composed of new faces, with only three players returning from last season. Many of these newcomers displayed promising talent during the game, leaving fans optimistic about the season ahead.
However, the excitement is tempered by the news that forward Will Gardiner, who joined the Bulls after being released by Hull FC at the conclusion of the 2025 season, will not be available for selection as he recovers from a hamstring issue. The 24-year-old will be eager to demonstrate his abilities once he returns, but this injury poses a considerable challenge for his early season ambitions.
In addition to Gardiner, the Bulls also missed Loghan Lewis, Joe Mellor, and Ebon Scurr in their roster for the match against Doncaster. Haggerty commented on the injury situation following the game, stating, "Everyone except for Will Gardiner will be in contention for Leeds, if not definitely for Round One. It's just a longer hamstring tear, so we’re probably looking at around March or April for his return."
Guy Armitage also sat out the game; however, Haggerty reassured fans that his injury is not serious. "It’s just a slight hamstring tear, he should be back for Round One or Round Two at the latest," Haggerty explained.
Despite the injury setbacks, the Bulls managed to get through their game in South Yorkshire largely unscathed, although they did lose Sam Hallas to a Head Injury Assessment (HIA). Haggerty shared that Hallas has been dealing with illness throughout the week, which impacted his performance. "Sam has been struggling with sickness all week, so he really had a tough time. I would have liked to see more from him today, but his HIA and illness limited his contributions. I didn’t witness the best version of Sam that I would have hoped for."
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