CAN Geoff Toovey's official appointment as head coach be the catalyst for a successful Bulls' survival charge?

Joint-owner Andrew Chalmers certainly thinks so, and has described this week's rubber-stamp as "huge" to the club's hopes of preserving their Kingstone Press Championship status.

The club and its supporters have endured a tough five-month wait for the Australian's visa to be granted while the team's fortunes on the pitch have stalled and faltered over the last two months.

Under-19s coach Leigh Beattie assumed interim control of the first-team in the intervening period, with Toovey limited to a watching brief – or, at the very least, hamstrung in his duties.

So, can the necessary paperwork and a completely unrestricted Toovey turn the season on its head and give the Bulls a fighting chance ahead of the division's split at the end of July?

"Geoff's appointment is certainly a very big milestone because of the difficulties and steps that we had to go through in order to comply with all the requirements of the Border Agency," Chalmers told the T&A. "It's not been straightforward by any means.

"But in terms of what it means from a club perspective, it's huge.

"We need him out there, we need him coaching and we need him leading from the front, and he hasn't been able to do that. So we think it's going to have a measurable effect straight away.

"Geoff has a highly impressive track record and is a proven coach in the NRL. He's a career rugby league guy.

"I know that he loves it up here, he's all-in with the club now, his visa's through and we're looking forward to seeing the difference on the field."

Victory at Rochdale on Sunday would halt the Bulls' eight-game losing run, but at this point of the season – with an eight-point gap to their nearest rivals – Chalmers recognises that triumphs have to come in clumps.

"Winning is essential and is everything, but it's not just about one win and two points," he confirmed.

"It's about making sure we build that momentum and continue winning and banking two points with every game. Our total focus is on looking at every single thing we can do and every single way we can win games.

"That's what matters, that's what the club needs, that's what our fans want to see. So all the stakeholders are focused on that one thing."

One or two playing reinforcements ahead of the weekend may also strengthen Toovey's hand against the Hornets.

"Alongside Geoff's appointment, we're working hard to build depth in the availability of players," confirmed Chalmers, who co-owns the club with fellow Kiwi Graham Lowe.

"We've been pretty unlucky with the injury to Dane Chisholm who is going through his recovery, but we've still got 13 games to play and we want to be producing in every single one of those games. We're continuing to look to add to the squad and that's an ongoing process.

"The cut-off for new players for this weekend is midday today, so we'll work hard to do something before then."

On Toovey's ability to turn the tide, Chalmers added: "What you'll see Geoff bring is that absolute competitive edge and he'll be pushing these players to win every single contest, every single arm-wrestle, every single battle, every single tackle, every single set – everything.

"We can't wait to see that drive through and the results it brings."