Iestyn Harris believes the Crusaders will eventually come good

Ex-Wales dual code star Iestyn Harris says people should be patient with Super League new-boys Celtic Crusaders.

The Welsh side have endured a difficult introduction to the top flight and go to Harris' former side Bradford Bulls on Sunday still seeking a first win.

"The Celtic Crusaders came into Super League with a three-year plan, let's not forget that," Harris told the BBC.

"So let's not get too carried away... they're going to grow and they're going to bring better quality in."

Crusaders head coach John Dixon came into Super League knowing that his playing resources were limited compared to most of his rivals.

That situation has not been helped by a string of injuries that the squad could ill-afford, the latest to star full-back Tony Duggan who could be out for three to four months with an ankle injury.

Harris, who has taken up a part-time playing role with Featherstone Rovers that includes off-field responsibilities, admits the Crusaders' start has been less than ideal.

"What the Crusaders wanted was to try and get three, four, five home wins this year to try and create a little bit of momentum, a little bit of passion in the Welsh crowd to get behind them," said Harris, speaking to the Back Page programme.

"They haven't done that, they haven't really got started, it's been an extremely difficult year for them, they've had a few injuries, haven't quite got on that roll.

"It's going to be a long second half of the season for them.

"But they've still got a long way to go before we get to that three-year period, when we're expecting the Crusaders to be really competitive in Super League.

"Look at the Catalans Dragons - three years into their start in Super League they finished third in the table."

*Listen to the The Back Page between 0830 and 0900 every Saturday morning on BBC Radio Wales and bbc.co.uk/wales; also available for one week after transmission via iPlayer.

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