Bradford have lost new recruit Jayden Nikorima to a calf strain and he will be sidelined for circa six weeks, Bulls head coach Kurt Haggerty has confirmed.<\/p>\n
Former NRL<\/a> and Super League ace Nikorima joined Bradford from Salford Red Devils ahead of the 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n Putting pen to paper on a three-year deal at Odsal soon after the Bulls\u2019 return to Super League was announced, the half-back is among their most pivotal recruits and had been expected to be among Haggerty\u2019s star men.<\/p>\n The pair, of course, worked closely together at Salford last term during Haggerty\u2019s time as an assistant coach with the Red Devils.<\/p>\n But for the first part of the new campaign, Haggerty and Bradford<\/a> will have to do without Nikorima.<\/p>\n Want more Love Rugby League? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> and ensure you never miss our exclusives and breaking news!<\/p>\n Bradford Bulls suffer major Jayden Nikorima injury blow ahead of Super League opener<\/p>\n The 29-year-old was not named on the Bulls\u2019 teamsheet for Sunday afternoon\u2019s Challenge Cup Third Round tie away against Championship<\/a> favourites London Broncos.<\/p>\n With Joe Keyes partnering Rowan Milnes in the halves, Bradford avoided an upset in the capital as they ended up 26-8 victors, booking their spot in Monday evening\u2019s Fourth Round draw.<\/p>\n But post-match, head coach Haggerty confirmed the news of Nikorima\u2019s calf strain and an expected lay-off of six weeks when speaking to BBC Radio Leeds.<\/p>\n No further detail was given on the injury, but if Nikorima is to sit out of the next six weeks of action, he will miss some big clashes.<\/p>\n