Teenager Kallum Watkins scored one try and set up another on his first Super League start, while on-loan French forward Eric Anselme grabbed a debut touchdown.

Sinfield said: "It was good. The young guys really put their hands up again and the experienced guys did some good stuff.

"At times we spilled too much ball, but to go to Cardiff and get a win like that against a very determined Bradford side is great for us.

"We've got three international back-rowers missing, plus Ian Kirke who could play internationals this time, an international centre in Clinton Toopi and Ashley Gibson as well.

"We've got as big an injury list as anyone at the minute, but thankfully the guys who are coming in are really doing well for us and it is great for our fans to see us beat Bradford again."

Rhinos coach Brian McClennan was equally impressed. He said: "Kallum's only just 17.

"He got a taste against Celtic Crusaders. We gave him 10 minutes at Hull KR last week and to go out in that stadium, what an experience for a young man.

"We've got a high opinion of Kallum. He did some good things and some things he's got to work on, but when he broke down the sideline at the start of the second half you saw how quick he is.

"He's a nice mover and once he's had another year or two, there's a chance we've got a good player there."

Of Anselme, McClennan added: "He's come in and only spent a week with the guys and I think he did a really good job.

"Being an international player – and a bit older, he's 29 – it's easier for him to settle into the team.

"He's got good confidence. I've got to plug the rest of our squad, they've welcomed Eric in really well.

"That shows the good culture in the team."

McClennan was delighted with the win, but felt Rhinos weren't at their best.

He said: "The low scoreline in the first half showed that the ball was in play a bit and there was a bit of energy spent.

"In the second half we got off to a good start by passing the ball a bit more and we kicked on.

"The young fellas enjoyed that. It was a bit of an error-ridden match, but we're happy to get away with it."

Rhinos attacked Bulls down their right flank in the second half and McClennan paid tribute to his team for spotting an opportunity.

"We got a bit of joy down there in the second half, at the start," he said. "It wasn't so much that it was pin-pointed.

"We looked at it a bit, but once the game gets going the players will pick out where they see they've got opportunities.

"They picked that out and we had a crack at it a few times. I think we held up the ruck well through Disko (Matt Diskin) and we were able to put three on two down that edge, so it was good."

Full-back Brent Webb is now preparing to link up with New Zealand for this weekend's centenary Test against Australia.

Rhinos opposed Webb's call-up – which means he will miss Sunday's Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round tie at Harlequins – but McClennan said: "He goes with our best wishes. We hope it goes well for him."

Next year's Magic event is likely to be staged at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium, with fixtures being decided by a seeded draw.