EPALAHAME Lauaki has assured Bulls fans he will be ready to hit peak form and fitness when the promotion-deciding Super Eights come around.

The hulking Tongan prop made a slow start to his Bradford career after piling 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’ squad in early February.

But he has featured regularly off the bench since making his debut in the win at Featherstone on March 1 and has played in the last five games.

Lauaki feels he is gradually improving and is aiming to hit top gear when the leagues split at the end of the 23 regular weekly rounds and the Bulls face Super League opposition.

The 31-year-old former Hull FC and Wigan man said: “I didn’t have a pre-season and came straight into the squad, so I was behind the eight-ball and I knew I was.

“But I’ve put in a lot of hard work since then and I believe I’m slowly getting there.

“I still need to improve further but the main goal is the Super Eights and I should be at my peak then.

“I’ve lost about 4kg or 5kg since I arrived and I’m looking and trying to lose another two or three kgs.

“I need to maintain my power but I need speed as well.

“I’m looking for improvement in certain areas and there is still a lot of hard work ahead as I keep pushing to be a better player.”

Paul Clough and Adam Sidlow are firmly established as the Bulls’ first-choice starting props with Lauaki and Steve Crossley having emerged as Lowes’ favoured two impact men off the bench.

Lauaki added: “When I first came here, I knew we had good-quality props.

“I knew I had to work hard to improve every week in order to maintain my spot.

“Getting that spot wasn’t easy but I’m finally there and I’m just trying to fight off the competition in the squad.

“Steve and I are coming off the bench and we still have to make an impact and continue the hard work that Cloughie and Sidlow have started.

“We need to make the same, if not a greater, impact to ensure that happens.”

Lauaki’s family have moved over to Bradford and he will be at the club next season having signed a two-year deal following his arrival from Manly.

He said: “My boys are in school, so everything is working well for my family and I’m happy here.

“I’ve still got another year with Bradford and hopefully that second season will be back in Super League where this club belongs.”

Bulls legend Lesley Vainikolo will say farewell to Odsal at tomorrow’s visit of Dewsbury before he moves back to New Zealand and works in schools with youngsters.

That is something Lauaki has spoken about doing when he finally retires and the forward said: “For us Polynesians who have been around the world playing footie, it’s always good to share our experiences and dreams with young people so that one day they can achieve their goals.

“I played with Lesley for the Kiwis in 2004 and everyone still loves him because he played such a big part in the Bulls’ history.

“It’s always good to see one the sons of Bradford coming back to hang out with the fans and talk to the players.”

Victory tomorrow would mark a 15th straight win for the Bulls and in-form second-rower Tom Olbison is looking forward to being reunited with former Odsal team-mate Glenn Morrison.

Olbison had an outstanding game against Doncaster last weekend and will now face a Dewsbury outfit where he played on dual-registration two years ago.

Olbsion said: “When I was coming through at Bradford, Morro was here as a player and I looked up to the likes of him and Steve Menzies.

“You cannot fail to learn from those kind of players and then I played under Glenn for a couple of games at Dewsbury in 2013. It will be good to see him again.”