ELLIOTT Whitehead has admitted he could return to the Bulls one day as he prepares to move to the other side of the world.

The Bradford-born star quit his home-town team in June 2013 after falling out with Francis Cummins and declaring he wanted to join a "top-four club".

He subsequently moved to Catalans and has prospered in the south of France, forcing his way into the England squad and now securing a move to Canberra Raiders on a two-year deal.

But the second-rower, who impressed during England's win over New Zealand in the opening match of the three-Test series in Hull, says the Bulls will always hold a special place in his heart.

Whitehead has been joined in the England squad by former Odsal team-mates John Bateman, Tom Burgess and Luke Gale.

"There are four of us here at the moment and it's good to see us all doing well, especially John and Tom," said 26-year-old Whitehead.

"Hopefully Luke might get a game and hopefully we can all play together again.

"It does make you wonder what could have been at the Bulls – but it's all 'what ifs' isn't it.

"There are still good players there now from when I was there and hopefully they will get back up next season.

"And I might go back to Bradford one day – you just never know."

Whitehead was delighted to help Steve McNamara's side to victory over the Kiwis in Sunday's showdown at the KC Stadium.

Huddersfield second-rower Brett Ferres, another former Bulls man, took centre stage with two tries.

Whitehead said: "It's a good start to our Test series, so hopefully we can follow that up next week and get another good result.

"It was a good test for us on Sunday. We knew it'd be a lot different to last week against France and I think they showed that in the first half.

"They came out on top but we ground it out and came out on top in the end. We showed in the second half that if we can keep hold of the ball, then we can score some points.

"To keep a side rated the best in the world scoreless for over 50 minutes is good but we have to improve again this week.

"We know it will be a different test as they know a bit more about us now and we know some more about them, so it will change a lot."

Whitehead is looking forward to moving down under and said: "I'm going over there to come up against good opposition week in, week out.

"No disrespect to Super League but I think a lot of people know it's a lot closer competition in the NRL.

"Super League is heading the right way, don't get me wrong, but every week in the NRL is a tough competition. I can't way to get over there and get involved."