Delighted Brian Noble believes his squad are ahead of schedule in their preparation for a stab at a third World Club Challenge title.

The Bulls boss saw most of his big guns get a first run-out of the year yesterday and he was amazed by the quality on show.

They won the friendly against Huddersfield Giants 28-10 with tries going to Shontayne Hape (2), debutant Marcus Bai, Ian Henderson and Brett Ferres but it was the manner in which they completed the job that impressed the coach.

"After a really tough week in Lanzarote, I was surprised about how strong we were," conceded Noble.

"I was really pleased with that hit-out in respect of the World Club Challenge. Huddersfield are no mugs and are a very competitive team."

There was talk of some players being unable to walk during the club's warm weather training camp, which Noble himself described as 'brutal.'

Skipper Iestyn Harris said they had completed three weeks' work in just seven days so it was expected the Bulls would be a little rusty and slow off the mark at the Galpharm Stadium.

The Super League champions looked remarkably fresh though and hammered the Giants early on with some punishing defence while some of their football was pretty smooth considering the

circumstances.

The Bulls entertain Hull KR in Robbie Paul's testimonial on Friday before Aussie premiers Wests Tigers arrive a week later.

Noble continued: "We've spoken about the World Club while in Lanzarote and Hull KR is now another step towards it.

"I was really pleased with how we started yesterday. Defensively we looked really, really strong. We conceded two tries from kicks, one that we should have cleaned up, but that can happen in

friendlies when the engine is tired.

"I wouldn't want to single any one out but we looked good as a team. We looked strong in the tackle and technically we weren't bad either.

"With the ball we certainly looked very strong in the first half.

"There were more errors in the second but that can happen in these matches.

"Considering we've got Terry Newton, Paul Deacon, Lesley Vainikolo, Stanley Gene and Marcus St Hilaire still to come in as well it was pleasing.

"I was pleased for the young lads. Matt Cook looked strong, as did Brett Ferres, while Dave Halley looked very quick and

confident on the wing."

Deacon and Vainikolo - who was due to have a scan on a knee injury today - should be fit for the Hull KR clash but Gene is more of a doubt.

Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp admitted: "We came up against a Bradford side that is game-ready. They are up to game speed now because of the World Club - we're three weeks away - and their defence was fantastic."