An off-season of hard work paid of in spectacular fashion for Lesley Vainikolo when he ran in five tries in the 34-6 demolition of Wigan at Odsal on Friday night.

Perceived as vulnerable in the air, The Volcano has often been targeted with high kicks but against Wigan his 'weakness' evaporated as he plucked one Karl Pratt kick out of the sky for a try and returned another Danny Orr bomb 95-metres for an even more spectacular touchdown.

"They were testing me with the high balls all last year and hopefully this year if they keep doing the same thing they'll get punished," said Vainikolo.

"I've been working hard at it over the off-season because it was one of my weaknesses. But now I've got my confidence back and I think you could tell that out there."

Toa Kohe-Love, meanwhile, is in line for his first start of the season against St Helens on Sunday.

The former Warrington and Hull centre is a ready-made replacement for centre Shontayne Hape - who will be out for up to two months with a broken arm.

"We are obviously disappointed to lose Shontayne but it's the way our luck is going with injuries this season," said coach Brian Noble. "We just have to get on with it."

The Junior Kiwi played in all but one of Bradford's 35 matches in their record-breaking season last year and has struck up a potent partnership with winger Vainikolo.