NENE Macdonald reckons defeat at Featherstone Rovers can be character building for Leigh’s work in progress squad.

The Papua New Guinean centre scored Centurions’ only try in a 28-6 defeat at their Betfred Championship rivals in front of the Premier TV cameras.

Now Adrian Lam’s side face another television test when it hosts Bradford Bulls on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

And Macdonald is keen to see how his team mates react to a first defeat of the season, hindered by prop Chis Green’s early injury and first half sin binnings for James McDonnell and Ben Reynolds.

“We know what we are capable of and that things are not going to always go our way,” he told Journal Sport. “So, we have got to stick together as a team

“This will be a good way to bond, to get closer and to be there for each other. The best teams stick together and push through together.

“It is only early but we needed a game like that. We can take a lot out of it, myself especially. Now, we need to show our character, train well and step up.” Macdonald, however, will be glad to get back to LSV after his first experience of old school rugby league on a quagmire of a pitch.,

“I have never played on one like that,” he agreed.. “I felt I was on skates and was going to fall over every time.

“By the end I got used to moving around. But they stepped up to the conditions better than us.

“It is only round two though and we get to learn from this. Most of us have never played on a field like that and we have a long way to go.

“But I enjoyed the experience. There is definitely a rivalry (between Leigh and Featherstone).

“You felt it as soon as you got there; you saw cups flying and heard fans chanting. I loved it.”

Head coach Lam refused to sugar coat defeat. “The boys tried hard, but we were sub-par and there is a lot to learn from the performance.

“There was improvement in the second half but we still weren’t where we want to be.

“Conditions were horrible but they came out with more intent. You couldn’t do much when you were behind and chasing the game.

“I am aware it is going to take time but we need to be a lot better than what we were.”

Prop Green suffered a fractured forearm in the first three minutes at the Millennium Stadium and will be side-lined for up to eight weeks.

However, co-captain Adam Sidlow, who missed the game, should be available.