The absence of Kiwi strike players Lesley Vainikolo, Tevita Vaikona and Robbie Paul left the Bulls unable to land the killer blow as they twice gave up the lead to slip to their first home defeat by Hull in the Super League era.

Four tries for full back Shaun Briscoe saw Hull triumph 26-18.

"We just couldn't find a knockout punch when we pushed in front on a couple of occasions," said coach Brian Noble.

Asked how much his side had missed the Kiwi trio, Noble said: "It appears quite badly. But the reality is we had enough out there to win this game. We didn't quite get the job done."

A relaxed Noble is refusing to press the panic button ahead of Tuesday's match away to Warrington.

"Offensively we did some really good things. We just need to find some composure. We've got the solution to this - more hard work."

The Bulls could be further weakened for the trip to Warrington with Jamie Peacock taken to hospital with an eye problem following the match.

Youngster Karl Pryce's starting debut ended at half-time when he required seven stiches to a cut mouth and Paul Deacon is nursing a "sore foot".

But in slightly better news for Noble, early reports that Robbie Paul had broken his foot when he was knocked out playing for New Zealand against Australia in Sydney appear to have been incorrect.

Noble said he had spoken to Paul and his skipper believed he had just badly rolled his ankle. Even so, Noble expects him to be out of action for three to four weeks - a situation the Bulls coach said he "needed like a hole in the head".

Paul, who was winning his 24th cap for New Zealand, was laid out in a tackle by Australia hooker Danny Buderus and needed lengthy treatment before being able to regain his feet.

To make matters worse, despite Lesley Vainikolo scoring a first-half try for the Kiwis - who led 10-4 - Australia hit back to run out easy 37-10 winners.

Hull coach Shaun McRae hailed last night's result against the Bulls as a "momentous occasion".

"It was a tremendous performance," said McRae.

"If you beat Bradford you have got to play well.

"There were two good sides there tonight but we just took some opportunities and came out on top."

Gilted Kiwi hooker Richard Swain picked up the man of the match award for an outstanding display that was even more remarkable given that his wife was in hospital expecting to give birth at any moment.

"We had the phone on all the way down here and on the bench as well. We expect some good news over the weekend for him", said McRae. Swain had been motivated by his omission from the New Zealand Test squad in favour of Robbie Paul, added the Hull coach.

He had offered his man of the match watch to four-try hero Briscoe but the full back refused to accept it.