The Bulls are rearranging their friendly with Hull KR - but not until 2009.

Steve McNamara was supposed to take his side to Craven Park on Sunday, February 3 as a final warm-up before Super League XIII.

However, it was cancelled after Rovers got pitched against Leeds Rhinos in round four (February 29) - the same night the champions are facing Melbourne Storm in the World Club Challenge.

Rovers had to swap their visit to Headingley to Saturday, February 2 and Bulls chairman Peter Hood said: "It's just the luck of the draw.

"Once Hull KR were paired with Leeds we knew they'd be asked to play that game a few weeks early and it's just our bad luck.

"Both Bradford and Hull KR would have benefited from a game but there's no other available weekend to stage it.

"There's only one and that's when all Super League clubs are obliged to play lower division opponents.

"We've had no choice but to move it forward 12 months, and there's nothing either club can do about it, but it's not a problem."

The Bulls stood to make a tidy profit from the game; they claim the majority of gate receipts as part of the deal that saw Stanley Gene freed to leave for Rovers last year.

Rovers agreed to host two friendlies against Bradford and the first one in January saw the Bulls pocket around £25,000.

The second will now be arranged as part of the 2009 pre-season.

Bradford will have just four warm-up games this year - against Dewsbury, Wakefield, Wigan and then Keighley Cougars on January 29, leaving a fortnight's break before the big kick-off on February 10.

Hood said: "In terms of footballing preparation, Steve is very comfortable with that.

"He might now make some small adjustments to accommodate slightly different run-outs but it's not a problem."

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