Bradford Bulls v Hull KR: Kelly guards against upset as he catches eye Down Under

The dynamic scrum-half has been a revelation in Super League after arriving in East Yorkshire from Gold Coast Titans on a two-year deal.

Kelly has scored seven tries and created another five in just 10 games, proving an attacking force in Chris Chester’s side ahead of tomorrow’s Challenge Cup fifth round tie at Bradford Bulls.

It is no surprise NRL clubs are taking a look at the Australian again with Manly Sea Eagles keen on him for 2016.

The 24-year-old said: “I’ve heard there’s rumours but I’ve not really spoken to my manager for a while. I’m focusing on Rovers and am excited to turn up each week and play the game I love.

“I will always go back there – I’ve got unfinished business in Oz – but there’s no time-frame on it at the moment. I’m just enjoying my footy. I’ve all my trust in my manager and believe he can sort things out; he’s my cousin and we’ve started a business together. That’s why he’s a manager.”

Kelly admits he is looking forward to his first experience of the famous Challenge Cup competition even though his side could be at risk from a shock given recently relegated Bradford are in good Championship form and brimming with Super League talent.

“People have been talking about the Challenge Cup, what it means and I’m very excited to be a part of it,” he said.

“And I’ve got my old mate Etu playing with Bradford Bulls. I used to go borrow DVDs off him back at Parramatta a long time ago. I’d get some action movies and stuff like that off Ete!

“He’s a good friend of mine and I can’t wait to catch up with him.

“It’ll be a good challenge facing Bradford and we’ve had some things to fix up for it this week.”

Kelly and half-back partner Terry Campese, the fellow Australian, were kept largely quiet for the first time this season when Castleford Tigers defeated them 25-4 a week ago.

It denied Rovers a fourth successive win and he said: “Cas play a similar game to us and they really turned up.

“Credit to them; they blew us off the park with energy.

“It’s frustrating when a team out-enthuses you but we’ve gone back to the drawing board and worked on some things for Bulls.”

Tomorrow’s hosts are on a nine-match winning streak, having not lost since the opening day of the Championship campaign.

They sit second as they bid for an swift return to the top flight and, of the three remaining cup ties involving Championship versus Super League sides, arguably have the best chance of an upset.

Bradford coach Jimmy Lowes – who played the last time the club won the Cup in 2003 – has Chev Walker, Jean-Philippe Baile and Danny Williams available again but Harry Siejka and Adrian Purtell are injured.

James Donaldson, who left Odsal last autumn, returns for KR and Sonny Esslemont comes in for Darrell Goulding (concussion) and James Green (ribs).