Bulls rake Heath L’Estrange will do everything within his power to keep hold of a starting spot ahead of Sunday’s Super League opener.

The Aussie faces stiff competition from recent arrival Matt Diskin while staking a final claim for selection in the build-up to the Millennium Magic clash with Leeds Rhinos.

An impact hooker during previous spells with Sydney Roosters and Manly, L’Estrange made the No 9 spot his own last year, being crowned Bulls player of the year.

But he is taking nothing for granted, especially considering Diskin’s undoubted pedigree.

“I was starting hooker last year and I thought it went well,” said L’Estrange.

“It’s good and it’ll give us a bit of competition. I’m not saying Wagga (Wayne Godwin) wasn’t competition last year but I was either going to half-back or hooker and Wagga and I were chopping and changing.

“It’s a good opportunity for me and Disko to both prove ourselves.

“We’ve had a great off-season and I can’t wait for the year ahead. We’re really pumped to start again and can’t wait for Cardiff. It’s been a big build-up.”

Following an impressive first campaign in England, L’Estrange predicts even greater things this time round.

The 25-year-old Aussie is revelling in a second spell under Mick Potter – the Bulls boss previously coaching L’Estrange for New South Wales under-17s – and has already started to see the benefits.

“I had vague memories of Mick but everything’s still the same in terms of the intensity and how he talks to you,” he said.

“He still treats me like a 17-year-old – but I deserve to be treated like a 17-year-old I think!

“Just the ideas he has about rugby league are mindblowing – things that I should be working on that I wasn’t working on last year – and I can already see improvements in my game.

“Just little things about getting to dummy half on time has made me fitter and stronger. It’s all for the good.”

In particular, Potter has made a strong case for the defence.

L’Estrange was one of the Bulls’ most tireless workers without the ball last year, finishing third among all Super League players in terms of tackles made.

But throughout pre-season, there has been a greater emphasis on quality rather than quantity.

L’Estrange said: “I enjoy defending. It’s a big part of my game, being in the middle with the big guys, but I probably missed too many tackles last year so I’ve got to get back on top of that.

“I’ve worked with Mick on my tackling and defence and he probably doesn’t want me making so many tackles this year. I’m sure I’ll find a way to get in there and do something.”