Bryn Hargreaves urges Bradford Bulls to retain Manase Manuokafoa

7:30am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in Bulls Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Barnstorming Manase Manuokafoa became a firm favourite during his debut Bulls campaign Barnstorming Manase Manuokafoa became a firm favourite during his debut Bulls campaign

Bryn Hargreaves believes securing the services of prop Manase Manuokafoa on a new contract would be a “massive boost” to the Bulls.

Manuokafoa, a close-season signing from Parramatta, enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign and became a firm favourite after a series of barnstorming displays.

Few can speak with more authority about Manuokafoa’s qualities than Hargreaves, who lined up alongside the Tonga international in the front row for much of the season.

Hargreaves has since announced his retirement as he pursues a career outside of rugby league but is hoping that Manuokafoa stays at Odsal .

The Bulls are currently talking to the out-of-contract 27-year-old and several other players about new deals.

Hargreaves, 26, said: “Manase signing a new contract would be a massive boost not only to Bradford but to Super League.

“I’d single Manase out as an outstanding performer at the Bulls in 2012. In fact, I’d go so far as to say he’s probably the best overseas signing in Super League this year.

“He’s been absolutely brilliant, a real revelation, which is testament to the hard work he’s put in.

“He struggled in the first training session but since then he worked so hard.

“He lost a lot of weight and got very fit. Hopefully he can get himself sorted and stay at Bradford.”

The Bulls will tonight host their first fans' forum since the club was bought by Omar Khan and Gerry Sutcliffe.

The new owners will be joined in the Coral Stand by coach Francis Cummins and a number of players.

Meanwhile, Bulls star John Bateman has been nominated for the Stobart Super League young player of the year award, along with Josh Jones of St Helens and Leeds full back Zak Hardaker.

Comments(21)

JAtkinson says...
9:57am Tue 25 Sep 12

Definitely - sign up Manuuuuuu!

Report this post »

monkey belly says...
10:40am Tue 25 Sep 12

this is a no brainer, he must be signed, and wants to stay.

Report this post »

Old Dave says...
11:50am Tue 25 Sep 12

Prop is a position we are light in following Kopczack and Burgess's departures and the reteirement of Bryn Hargreaves. I can only think that there might be an out of contract british prop we are after and the only thing counting against Manu is the fact he's overseas trained. managing our overseas quota is an important part of the jigsaw and we need to ensure value for money!
Having said this I'd love to see Manu and a fit Nick Scrtuon start up front, with Fielden coming off the bench!

Report this post »

flashdonut says...
12:04pm Tue 25 Sep 12

It says in The Sun that Wigan will not offer Fielden a new contract. to me, it is a no-brainer offerig him a two year deal. After that, he can be employed as an ambassador of some description. He is like Robbie. Bulls through and through.

Report this post »

Prycey says...
12:24pm Tue 25 Sep 12

It all comes down to will Purtell be fit as we also need a stand-off with Sammut being ideal. It would be great to see Manu and Fielden in the same pack. I still think it is time for Langley to move up to the front and then we would just need one more prop.

Report this post »

Bone_idle18 says...
12:50pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Can we bring Briggs back cheaply? I'm still keen to see him rekindle the partnership with Luck Gale which won Leeds the Academy GF a few years back.

Report this post »

Mumby was the best says...
12:51pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Fielden to come back ? Why no one to answer the phone again ?

Report this post »

Steam Pigs says...
1:30pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Bone_idle18 wrote:
Can we bring Briggs back cheaply? I'm still keen to see him rekindle the partnership with Luck Gale which won Leeds the Academy GF a few years back.
Briggs has gone, his contract has finished and I think he has got a contract with Fev

Report this post »

Solomon Grundy says...
1:31pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Manase more important than any other player to me. Sammut would be great too but if it's a choice it has to be Nas, we are very light in the front row now and he gives us a bit of real punch there. Sign Fielden + 2 more if they are available. Scruton & the young guys as back up.

Go into a season weak in the front rows, as we used to every year with Mcnamara , and prepare to get battered.

Report this post »

flashdonut says...
1:31pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Mumby was the best wrote:
Fielden to come back ? Why no one to answer the phone again ?
Yes. Obviously. Did you figure that out yourself?

Report this post »

Capabull says...
1:42pm Tue 25 Sep 12

If there is only one place left on the quota it has to be Nas. Sammutt is either brilliant or rubbish he`s either scoring great tries or missing simple tackles and touch kicks. Nas is consistent you know what to expect of him, and we need power upfront. If we sign Murrell,as is rumoured, he can play stand off and he is more of a team player than Sammutt IMHO

Report this post »

Mumby was the best says...
3:01pm Tue 25 Sep 12

No money so sign players stop dreaming.

Report this post »

Solomon Grundy says...
3:07pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Capabull wrote:
If there is only one place left on the quota it has to be Nas. Sammutt is either brilliant or rubbish he`s either scoring great tries or missing simple tackles and touch kicks. Nas is consistent you know what to expect of him, and we need power upfront. If we sign Murrell,as is rumoured, he can play stand off and he is more of a team player than Sammutt IMHO
Agreed.

Report this post »

theviking62 says...
7:07pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Sammutt off quota, so no problem. That's from the man himself. See Twitter.

Report this post »

bbibby says...
7:39pm Tue 25 Sep 12

I thought you could not wait to start your new life in america bryn.well get gone and start learning about pipes. your opinion is worth nothing, as a piece of meat got it .the standard of journalism on sport on the t&a is pathetic.jog on

Report this post »

theviking62 says...
8:24pm Tue 25 Sep 12

bbibby wrote:
I thought you could not wait to start your new life in america bryn.well get gone and start learning about pipes. your opinion is worth nothing, as a piece of meat got it .the standard of journalism on sport on the t&a is pathetic.jog on
Bbibby, who the hell do you think you are talking like that. Hargreaves, is entitled to have an opinion, just as you are. To refer to a human being as a piece of meat is insulting. Mind you I would assume that this was a post to get a reaction. As to the t n a you are correct. But I would ask you to, in your words, jog on.

Report this post »

Sheffieldbull says...
8:27pm Tue 25 Sep 12

bbibby wrote:
I thought you could not wait to start your new life in america bryn.well get gone and start learning about pipes. your opinion is worth nothing, as a piece of meat got it .the standard of journalism on sport on the t&a is pathetic.jog on
So, are you saying that Manase Manuokafoa isn't worth a new contract bbibby?

Report this post »

bbibby says...
8:44pm Tue 25 Sep 12

He will get a contract but will be on a lot less than the other props on the payroll.Will have to play longer to convince ,average

Report this post »

Sheffieldbull says...
8:53pm Tue 25 Sep 12

bbibby wrote:
He will get a contract but will be on a lot less than the other props on the payroll.Will have to play longer to convince ,average
You've decided then have you?

Report this post »

theviking62 says...
8:56pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Bbibby, your talking rubbish, the man is a very good prop. What gives you insight into how much he's worth in wages. Average, no way, that's you bbibby, no real knowledge of Bulls or the game of SL.

Report this post »

theviking62 says...
8:56pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Bbibby, your talking rubbish, the man is a very good prop. What gives you insight into how much he's worth in wages. Average, no way, that's you bbibby, no real knowledge of Bulls or the game of SL.

Report this post »

click2find

Get Adobe Flash player
About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree