Brian Noble leapt to the defence of rugby league after seeing his team defeat Leeds Rhinos 44-22 in a derby thriller at Valley Parade yesterday.

But not before the Bradford Bulls coach had put a ban on questions about the rival code.

"I am sick and tired of hearing about rugby union," he said, "and I have had an absolute gut full of negative comments in the media about rugby league, like Henry Paul has gone to Gloucester or has signed for the New York Giants.

"Rugby league provided a magnificent spectacle here and our game will be fine and healthy - the obituary columns are a little bit premature to my mind."

The former Great Britain hooker, who isn't known for being outspoken, added: "We have got the product and we have got the people that watch the product, and I just feel we have to start batting off our own wicket and not start talking about rugby union, because I won't talk about it.

"This derby was a fantastic spectacle, and I hope that the 15,000 or so that came to watch it appreciate that as well, and the world of rugby league, because that is what we are about isn't it?

"We are not about back-biting or not all saying the same thing. This is what we are about.

"We have to know that when we see things like this, and it gets better and better.

"And you could have gone and watched Widnes v Leigh. I am sure that was an exciting game."

Noble's only concern about his team's display as they went now back to the top of the Super League was a couple of defensive lapses.

They saw Bulls go from the heights of being 18-4 ahead just before half-time to being 22-22 soon after the break.

Noble said: "We made a few poor defensive ploys, such as Mike Forshaw on Barrie McDermott under the sticks before half-time, and on Robbie Mears down the blind-side."

He added jocularly: "We haven't been caught down the blind-side since 1961 when I was playing!"

However, he was proud of his side's efforts in the final 20 minutes, saying: "I have talked about getting tough in the fourth quarter, and we just took a step up.

"Mind you, they (Leeds) will be kicking themselves and Darryl Powell will say they gave us 18 points with errors."