BRADFORD coach Kurt Haggerty has praised both sets of players after Saturday’s game against St Helens was marred by a serious-looking head injury to Bulls prop Will Gardiner.
With just 90 seconds remaining, and Saints leading 40-10, Gardiner took a heavy knock when tackling Daniel Suluka-Fifita and was left prone on the field without moving.
Players from both sides instantly called for assistance, with medical staff from both clubs treating the stricken player for around ten minutes before stretchering him off the field.
With so little time remaining and the seriousness of the injury, there was some talk the game would be brought to a premature end, but play restarted with both teams simply playing down the clock in a show of respect for their colleague.
“Will’s alert which is the good thing,” confirmed Haggerty shortly after the full-time hooter.
“But what a fantastic sport we have and there’s fantastic people in it.
“The way both teams saw the game off in the last 60 to 90 seconds just shows how fantastic the people are in this sport.
“They can go and beat each other up for 79 minutes, and then show respect is first class.”
The Bulls confirmed on Sunday morning that Gardiner was at home and continuing his recovery.
Haggerty was also left sweating over injuries to try scorer Phoenix Steinwede (groin) and Dan Russell (ribs) and should get a prognosis on those injuries this week.