FOUR first-team appearances in his debut season will not be enough for Vila Halafihi.

He wants more, and is determined to play his part in the Bulls' promotion push as he bids to secure a new contract.

The 21-year-old hooker has featured in two of the last three games for Jimmy Lowes’ side, pouring confidence into him after a short stint at Oxford on dual-reg.

Halafihi said: “Jimmy and I had a talk and he said ‘I’m going to send you to Oxford for a couple of games so you can get match fit’.

“I played 80 minutes twice, mainly at hooker but also a bit at loose forward, so I got some good experience and into good habits again.

“But it’s great to be back in the squad at Bradford and to have played against Batley and Hunslet was really pleasing.

“I don’t want to stop here – I want more and more.

“We’ve got three really tough games coming up and I would love to play my part. I’ve got the bug for it now.”

Halafihi has been 18th man for the Bulls on numerous occasions and Lowes’ reluctance to use a bench hooker has counted against him.

Not that he has ever complained about the situation.

“I’m under no illusions about Adam O’Brien being the first-choice number nine here. I got to grips with that early doors and focused on coming off the bench a few times,” said Halafihi.

“I have worked hard to do that and Jimmy has spent time with me and really helped my game during the past couple of weeks.

“The confidence that Jimmy has had in me all year, keeping me in his 18-man squad, has given me even more confidence.

“It was a massive boost when the fans cheered as I came off the bench at Hunslet last weekend and I really appreciate their support.”

Halafihi boasts an impressive pedigree after spells in the Castleford and Leeds academies before a season at Penrith Panthers last year.

“It matured me as a man as well as a rugby player,” he said of his spell Down Under.

“I learnt lessons from living on my own and it probably toughened me up mentally.

“That’s probably helped me this year in that, even though I’ve not played every week, I’ve stuck it out and kept working hard. It will come to you if you work hard enough at it.”

Halafihi works closely with legendary former Bulls hooker Lowes in training.

“Jimmy has helped me all year,” he explained.

“In video review, he will say how we should be doing things and in training he will come over and give me tips as well.

“Adam and I do a lot of passing practice after training so when everyone has finished, we will do extras and Jimmy will sometimes come over and say ‘move your hip this way, stay low.’

“Jimmy knows my strengths and weaknesses and has helped me a lot with both.”

Halafihi is aiming to secure a new deal at the club he grew up supporting.

“I love it here and believe I’m starting to see the benefits of all my hard work,” said the boyhood Bulls fan.

“I want to keep pushing my form and back myself for a deal.”