Bradford Bulls boss Kurt Haggerty has explained the signing of recent acquisition Nathan Connell and has praised his development since the two last worked together.
Haggerty was the assistant coach at the Salford Red Devils in 2025 when Connell made his Super League debut, perhaps earlier in his career than expected due to player departures.
That year, Connell played 23 games for the club, putting him joint-second in the Red Devils appearance list. It was there that the Bulls head coach realised the full-back had potential, and he has started to show that development after thriving for the Widnes Vikings this year.
Revealing just how much the speedster has developed at the Vikings, Haggerty explained: “I think it’s just repetitions of playing against men every week. I think that’s really helped Nathan.
“He was a bit of a bit-part at Salford until the situation happened there where he got more game time. But just to go and develop his game, he’s been around some very good players and senior players there at Widnes too.
“Your Tom Gilmore and your Jack Owens, some really smart rugby players who I know have helped his game as well. The repetition of playing every week will really have helped him.
Connell has 22 tries in 27 appearances for the Vikings this year, a strike rate worthy of a Super League opportunity.
Haggerty continued:Â “Nathan suits the style of player that I want to bring to the Bulls, which everybody’s seen and knows what it looks like.
“He’s quick, he’s agile, he’s multi-skilled and can play in different positions, and ultimately he’s a very talented young man.”
Asked how the pair’s prior experience of working together can only be a positive, the boss replied: “It will. He understands the standards  of what I set and what that needs to look like and what being an elite professional looks like at Bradford Bulls.
“Systematically, he knows the style of play, he knows how we want to play, and he knows, more importantly, what I expect defensively from him. So, yeah, he knows what it looks like.”
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With Connell now signed up, it means that Bradford have landed a full-back, a centre (Cameron Scott), two back rowers (James Bentley and John Bateman) and two props (Ligi Sao and Sam Eseh).
Haggerty believes that the entire roster needs improving, not just the first-team squad. The boss has seen first-hand how important squad depth is this season, with the unprecedented injury crisis forcing him to play a few players he never thought would make it in the top flight.
When asked which position is next up on the recruitment agenda, he said: “We’re still looking at the pivot role. We’re still looking in and around some of the forwards, but nothing’s hard and fast at this moment in time.
“…It’s got to be the right person. We’ve got to bring people in who can play at this level and then push the ones we’ve already got in starting roles.”
Leon Ruan is someone whose future is currently undecided, with the back rower currently at the club on loan from Hull KR. He is without a deal at both clubs for 2027, but Haggerty kept his cards close to his chest when asked about his future.
“Possibly” was the one-word answer given, but due to the fact that he was not involved in either of the two released lists announced by the club, it suggests an extended stay at Odsal could be on the cards
