HE WON the Bulls’ try of the month with an effort that drew comparisons with rugby great Jonah Lomu.

But modest Sam Hallas still felt he played second fiddle in the hooking stakes in their 62-12 win at Coventry.

Hallas capped a 46-point Bulls romp in the second half by powering through the home ranks with a juddering fend-off for the final score that All Blacks legend Lomu made his trademark.

It was his second try of the game and earned rave reviews, winning the vote among the Odsal fans for the pick of the touchdowns in June.

But Hallas deflected the plaudits this week towards fellow hooker Vila Halafihi.

He said: “It’s good to get over the line from more than two yards out.

“I didn’t think my arms were long enough for a fend. I thought they were going to grab me.

“It was more a case of running away because I was scared. But I back myself to have a bit of pace and I’m glad I finally got the chance to show that I can move.

“But I think sometimes tries can skew the vision of how we actually play.

“For me, I thought Vila was absolutely outstanding and was probably my man of the match.

“The fact I scored a couple of tries might have put my name in people’s memory but I don’t think I played better. Looking at the bigger picture, Vila was the star man.”

With George Flanagan poised to return from injury, competition at nine is hotting up again. But Hallas is grateful to the senior man’s assistance during his six weeks on the sidelines recovering from a broken hand.

“George is a great player and bloke to be around,” he added. “He’s been nothing but encouraging while he’s been out, teaching me and Vee new things.

“I like to think I’ve filled the void that George left quite well but they are big shoes to fill.

“When he comes back, be it me or Vee who drops out at nine, hopefully I can fill in at loose forward, back row or even front row – wherever is best for the team.”

John Kear was furious with his team’s first-half efforts at the Butts Park Arena and slated them at the interval. Hallas admitted it was an uncomfortable experience – but had the desired effect.

He said: “As soon as we walked in, we knew it wasn’t going to be pretty.

“You hear a lot about the old Manchester United boys going on about Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer. If John had hair, that would have been his.

“It was one of the first of my career but I thought the way we responded was outstanding. The likes of Ross Peltier and Vee coming off the bench really added a lot.”

The Bulls will look to take that improvement into tomorrow’s home clash with a Newcastle side who Hallas feels pose a dangerous threat.

“Newcastle are a good side. I think a lot of people underestimate certain teams in this league.

“They’ve got some players who can really trouble us. They are going to be no pushovers and we’ve got to be on our mettle to come away with the two points.”