Departing Bradford Bulls star Elima aims to upset new French employers (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Departing Bradford Bulls star Olivier Elima aims to upset new French employers
7:20am Friday 7th September 2012 in Bulls
By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter
Olivier Elima will end his two-year stay in Bradford against Catalan Dragons, where he will return to play next season
Olivier Elima is aiming to bow out of Bradford on a glorious high this weekend as the Bulls go in search of victory against his future employers.
The France skipper yesterday confirmed he is to return to Catalan Dragons on a two-year deal.
Elima is out of contract at the end of the season and will rejoin the club he played for between 2008 and 2010.
But first he will aim to help Mick Potter’s men to a victory that could yet see them claim the final play-off spot at the expense of Wakefield.
Explaining his move back to Perpignan, Elima said: “It has been a great honour to represent this great club that is Bradford Bulls for the past two years.
“I would like to say thanks to all the players, staff and supporters who have been in and around the club in those two years.
“But I’ve been at Catalan before, I know the players and I’m obviously the France captain. It’s just an easy link for me to go back there with my family.”
The Dragons have made huge strides under rookie coach Trent Robinson and are rated as dark horses to reach this year’s Grand Final.
Elima admitted the lure of playing under Robinson played a part in his switch.
“I’ve not played under Trent Robinson but from what I’ve heard he has brought a new way of training to the club,” said the second-rower.
“It’s short and sharp and based on players’ welfare and well-being, with a lot of dynamic stuff.
“With the modern game, I think it’s the right approach and I’m looking forward to playing under him.
“All the French players have been talking really positively about Trent Robinson and I can’t wait.
“I’ve spoken to him myself and he seems like someone you want to be coached by.”
Elima has enjoyed a fine campaign at Odsal but is hoping for a fairytale finish.
Victory in the south of France tomorrow, coupled with Salford beating Wakefield, would see the Bulls make the play-offs for the first time in four years.
“It’s out of our hands but whatever happens, we’re happy with how we’ve performed this season,” said 29-year-old Elima.
“The first few weeks were a bit shaky but after that you could tell that something was happening at Bradford.
“The likes of Manase Manuokafoa, Keith Lulia and Luke Gale have done a great job for us and Ben Jeffries too has had a great season.
“Something special has happened this year but if it hadn’t been for the off-field stuff we would be in the play-offs already with the amount of games we won.
“This is probably the best season we’ve had in years and we could still get in the play-offs.”
Comments(34)
flashdonut
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7:59am Fri 7 Sep 12
Steam Pigs
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8:07am Fri 7 Sep 12
monkey belly
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8:31am Fri 7 Sep 12
did he not mention he would not be there next year.
murphyslaw
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8:53am Fri 7 Sep 12
Steam Pigs wrote:Exactly, I wondered the minute I heard, If Bulls want Potter to stay they need to break old habits and act quickly.
If thats true flash what odds on Mr Potter being the next Les Cats coach?
murphyslaw
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8:55am Fri 7 Sep 12
murphyslaw wrote:Oh and its a true flash according to BBC radio 5 live who reported it this morning.
Steam Pigs wrote:Exactly, I wondered the minute I heard, If Bulls want Potter to stay they need to break old habits and act quickly.
If thats true flash what odds on Mr Potter being the next Les Cats coach?
flashdonut
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8:55am Fri 7 Sep 12
Steam Pigs wrote:It is on the Roosters website now. Potter will surely be in teh mix at Dragons now. Down to teh RFL to let us know asap about SL, so we can start working on contracts.
If thats true flash what odds on Mr Potter being the next Les Cats coach?
Steam Pigs
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9:03am Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
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9:06am Fri 7 Sep 12
Steam Pigs wrote:So would I
Interesting that Brian Smith is leaving Roosters.... I would love him back at Odsal to kick start the team again like he did in the mid 90's if MP leaves
A N Oldman
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10:47am Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
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11:12am Fri 7 Sep 12
King Michael
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11:50am Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best wrote:Doesn't matter, he's a club builder, which would what we would need, if MP was to leave.
Before the smith briggade fire up he was sacked . Has he ever won anything ? He is no little brother tony .
King Michael
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11:50am Fri 7 Sep 12
A N Oldman wrote:Mick Potter too.
Brian Smith, would be a valid choice, to help kick start the Bulls, SHOULD MP leave. He has the ability, not just get the best out of unknown players. Also his innate ability to produce top class coaches, eg Matt Elliot, Nobby. Francis Cummins would learn more from Smith than he has so far.
theviking62
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12:05pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
says...
12:36pm Fri 7 Sep 12
A N Oldman
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12:52pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
says...
1:03pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
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1:09pm Fri 7 Sep 12
I have an imposter shadowing me you have 2 usernames at least.
Steam Pigs
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1:15pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Maybe if the T&A checked IP addresses coming from this locale they would spot the troll - wish they would ban the IP rather than the e-mail adress
FYI it is copying user names and putting an extra space in, it is NOT hacking it does not have the metal capacity to do such a thing, it can only imitate
Mumby was the best
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1:16pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Steam Pigs wrote:Don`t tell me it`s the man of many names!!
wonder who may reside in BD6 3AR???
Maybe if the T&A checked IP addresses coming from this locale they would spot the troll - wish they would ban the IP rather than the e-mail adress
FYI it is copying user names and putting an extra space in, it is NOT hacking it does not have the metal capacity to do such a thing, it can only imitate
Mumby was the best
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1:21pm Fri 7 Sep 12
As for the question who lives in BD6 3AR I would suggest a poor person ?
Mumby was the best
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1:21pm Fri 7 Sep 12
theviking62
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1:23pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best
says...
1:30pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best wrote:Actually that was me (real one) sorry for the language Viking. Anyway as I said on the other forum I am going resist posting from now on as the idiot is turning the forum into a joke for some reason I can`t workout and spoiling it for everybody. PLEASE ignore him.
They say imitation is the best form of flattery, but why oh why do I have to flattered by such kn0bhead!!!
Mumby was the best
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1:40pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best wrote:I dont but with a BD 6 postcode it takes in some "lovely" locations
Very interesting I know the area/street
Mumby was the best
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1:43pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best wrote:So Viking was wrong ?
Mumby was the best wrote: They say imitation is the best form of flattery, but why oh why do I have to flattered by such kn0bhead!!!Actually that was me (real one) sorry for the language Viking. Anyway as I said on the other forum I am going resist posting from now on as the idiot is turning the forum into a joke for some reason I can`t workout and spoiling it for everybody. PLEASE ignore him.
APOLOGY PLEASE TO ME VIKING
theviking62
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1:52pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Steam Pigs
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2:30pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best wrote:TBC/SL52 fake Mumby - mental - typo old dear, however to suggest that poor people live there when you live there is a little stupid.
What is a metal capacity ?
As for the question who lives in BD6 3AR I would suggest a poor person ?
YOU LIVE THERE - I won't forget and maybe your work pal Nosher should out you???????
Mumby was the best
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3:24pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Shipley Paul
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4:23pm Fri 7 Sep 12
King Michael wrote:Well he didn't stay too long last time he was here so there's no reason to think this time would be different. Mick has said he expects to be re emloyed this week at Odsal,that's good enough for me. All the rumours and stories that have been posted on here in the last few weeks which have been pure fantasy and specuation have proved that most people haven't got a scooby what's happening.
Mumby was the best wrote:Doesn't matter, he's a club builder, which would what we would need, if MP was to leave.
Before the smith briggade fire up he was sacked . Has he ever won anything ? He is no little brother tony .
oddshapedballs
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6:52pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Mumby was the best wrote:yes he won the league in 1997. he may.not have been here but his team won it
Before the smith briggade fire up he was sacked . Has he ever won anything ? He is no little brother tony .
Mumby was the best
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8:58pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Tricky Dicky
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7:10am Sat 8 Sep 12
Mr Potter is keen to stay on at Odsal but is it conditional on SL status next season? It would be foolish to assume he is not applying elsewhere although his chances of finding employment in Australia have decreased with the appointment of Mr Robinson at the Roosters. IMO, I expect Mr Potter to go elsewhere and Mr Noble to finally come home to the club he never wanted to leave, be it SL rugby or Championship rugby.
Mumby was the best
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2:28pm Sun 9 Sep 12
flashdonut says...
7:49am Fri 7 Sep 12