Back Page Betting: Iestyn Harris plots a shock at his old stomping ground Leeds

Super League / Ralph Ellis / 08 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Ralph Ellis tells us what Iestyn Harris has in common with Cristiano Ronaldo as Bradford look to cause an upset at Leeds tonight. Meanwhile, St Helens trade at a prohibitive price on the Regular Season Winner market.

So Cristiano Ronaldo is making speeches about how he's always loved Manchester United and would never have wanted to leave. And if you followed my advice at the start of this week you'll be enjoying every word and looking forward to banking your profit on September 3.

Now it's encouraging to see that football isn't the only sport with stories of players who are only out for themselves. Step forward rugby league star Iestyn Harris, who will tonight face a fiery reception when he returns to Leeds in the colours of Bradford Bulls.

Harris infamously went to Bradford four years ago when he came back to the sport from rugby union, even though their fiercest rivals from just down the road had a contract stating they had first refusal on him. It led to a legal battle that was only settled a few months ago and cost the Bulls a six-figure payment. So they must be ever so pleased to learn that Harris is now plotting another move away from Yorkshire altogether at the end of the season. "My family are open to anything but I won't take the first opportunity that comes along. It has to be the right one," Harris tells the Sun's Mark Mason this morning.

It's getting a tad too near the end of the campaign for Harris to give Bradford any sort of leaving present, as well. He's full of fighting talk in the article in the Sun, promising that nobody has seen the real Bradford yet and they are capable of putting more than 25 minute flashes of quality play together.

Certainly they urgently need a win tonight to make certain of their place in the play-offs, and that's where there's some value to be had in the betting market. Bulls are a massive [8.2] this morning, and given that Friday night Super League matches have thrown up a few surprise results recently, that could just be worth a speculative punt. At the least it could give a chance to lay it off and take a profit early in the game if the visitors take the lead once the market goes in-play.

Just to give you a bit more confidence, there's word in the Daily Star that Leeds have significant injury problems. They hope that Kiwi full back Brent Webb will return from a back injury. In his absence Leeds have lost in the Challenge Cup semi final to St Helens and then again at Warrington to fall two points behind Saints in the race for the League Leaders Shield. But even if he does make it - which is not guaranteed - they will also be without Ryan Bailey, Ryan Hall, Jamie Johnes-Buchanan and Clinton Toopi as well as Ali Lauititi who is serving a suspension. Even Leeds coach Brian McClennan is admitting: "If you are a healthy team you are okay. If not who knows what twists and turns there will be to come this season?"

St Helens are the healthy team at the moment, which is why Leeds are out to [7.6] to be the regular season winners of Super League now with Saints massive favourites at [1.07].

Five things you might not know about Bradford Bulls

1. The club began in 1863 playing Rugby Union, but then with neighbours Manningham helped form the League in 1895.

2.Manningham turned to play soccer instead in 1903 - and four years later Bradford did the same thing to become Bradford Park Avenue. Bradford Northern began as a rugby league club in their place

3.Bradford's Odsal stadium hosted the game's equivalent of the 'White Horse' Wembley FA Cup final in 1954 when an official attendance of 102,569 saw Warrington play Halifax in the Challenge Cup final replay. The actual attendance is estimated at more than 120,000

4. By 1963 a record low crowd of just 324 watched a home game a few nights before Bradford Northern went out of business. The club was reformed seven months later.

5.New Zealand's Jack McLean is the club's record try scorer with 261 scores.