Bradford Bulls forward “devastated” after red card as boss sees error as learning curve

Bradford Bulls boss Kurt Haggerty has revealed how he dealt with young forward Eliot Peposhi after his red card in defeat to St Helens.

Peposhi, a former Saints junior, was shown his marching orders by referee Jack Smith after hitting George Delaney high and with the shoulder.

Both Smith and video referee Tom Grant agreed there was no mitigation in the contact, and the 21-year-old was sent from the field in only his third Super League game.

Haggerty spoke to the press after the contest, in which the Bulls lost 26-22, and explained what happened in the changing rooms between the pair, with the boss revealing Peposhi was visibly upset by his actions

“The kid is absolutely devastated. He’s devastated in the changing rooms,” said Haggerty.

“He was the first bloke I went into. I made him stand up, I gave him a hug because I’ve learned in these moments, he’s still a baby.

“He’s played probably three or four first team games in the Championship and now he’s probably played three or four Super League games in a short space of time.

“He’ll learn from it really quickly. We certainly won’t beat him up over it.

“It was a big moment, and Eliot will learn from it, but he’s got my full support.”

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Bradford Bulls boss praises winger after try double

One Bradford man who especially stood out was Connor Wynne, who is enjoying a brilliant return to Super League life with his new club.

Prior to 2026, Wynne last played in the top flight in 2022 with Hull FC, but going on this season’s form, he looks as though he has never left.

A further two tries against the Saints has taken his season total to four in four matches, but it’s not just his try scoring ability that is getting him the plaudits.

His carries from back field are just as important, and he again made some brave runs in his own danger zone to help get his team out of trouble.

Haggerty was left impressed with his winger’s performance, saying: “I’m really happy with Connor.

“Connor’s come from the Championship and gone through a bit of a process with myself.

“He had actually signed for Hull KR, and then something happened, I don’t know the ins and out of what happened, but I had an opportunity to sign him so I brought him over to the Bulls.

“I believed there was a Super League player in there. He had a lot of hard work to do and value being a full-time Super League player again.

“He’s a fantastic player, he’s really grown in his game. He’s learned from senior players around him and he’s had a lot of work to do defensively in the system that I brought to the club and I think he’s been fantastic for me since I’ve come to the club.

“Losing Jayden Okunbor, we had him [Wynne] down as a centre, but he’s shown he can play centre and wing. I can’t speak highly enough of what Connor has done for us so far.”