EPALAHAME Lauaki has shed over half a stone as he prepares for his belated Bulls debut in tomorrow’s showdown at promotion rivals Featherstone.
The hulking Tongan prop had, by his own admission, piled on the pounds during the off-season as visa problems delayed his arrival in the UK.
His lack of fitness meant he was not considered for the opening two games of the season after joining up with Jimmy Lowes’ men in early February.
Now, though, Lauaki looks set to play some part on Sunday after being named in the Bulls’ 19-man squad for the second week running.
Lauaki reckons he is ready to reap the benefits of an arduous training schedule which has whipped him into shape.
The 31-year-old former Hull FC and Wigan man said: “The last fortnight or so has been pretty tough on my body. But it was something I needed to do to ensure I’m ready for the weekend and the rest of the season.
“When the boys have finished training, I’ve been staying in the gym to do my extras.
“I’ve also been working very hard in the field sessions too.
“The fields at Tong are not that great at the moment, but you still have to put in the hard yards there as well.
“I’ve lost 3kg in the last two weeks and I’m aiming to lose one more before Sunday’s game, so I’ll be feeling good then.”
Lauaki joined Manly Sea Eagles last March but he left the NRL outfit at the end of the season.
The offer of a two-year deal with Bradford and the subsequent challenge of returning the club to the top flight was one he could not turn down.
Lauaki said: “Being back in the team environment again here at Bradford, you know what to eat and when to sleep.
“It was really hard doing that back home because I didn’t really have a training schedule.
“I wasn’t in a team environment but, since I’ve been at Bradford, everything has been full on and it has been good for me.
“I got close to playing against Whitehaven last week and I felt good during the warm-up – I wanted to play there and then.
“But I left it up to the coaches to give me another week under my belt to get a bit fitter and stronger. I just can’t wait to go now.”
Lauaki’s destructive style as a wrecking-ball prop should serve the Bulls well in the Championship this season.
He said: “I’m known as a no-nonsense kind of prop and that’s something I’m looking forward to showing on Sunday.
“Hopefully I can do something to lift the boys by making an impact.”
Chris Ulugia is set to replace the suspended Danny Williams against Featherstone after being dropped for last week’s home win over Whitehaven.
The close-season signing from the Mackay Cutters had come off the bench in the opening-day defeat at Leigh but did not make the matchday 17 last week.
Ulguia said: “I was 18th man last weekend and it was a bit disappointing but Jimmy picked his team and I understood that because of the way I played against Leigh.
“I’m hoping to play on the wing at the weekend, so the main thing for me is to get the sets started for our team.
“That means getting an early carry and helping the team on the front foot.
“It’s sad what has happened with Danny being banned, but it’s an opportunity for someone else and hopefully I can take it with both hands.”
Ulugia says he is still coming to terms with the rough and tumble of the Championship.
He explained: “It was pretty rough at Leigh and the tempo was much quicker than in the trial games against Castleford and Leeds.
“I felt comfortable in those games and it was easy for me to adapt to.
“But the Leigh game was really fast and the pitch was quick too, so coming on with twenty minutes to go was a bit tough for me. I’m pretty excited about this weekend, though.”
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