Semi Tadulala faced an uncertain future when he joined up with the Fiji squad for their tour of Papua New Guinea in October.

The former Bulls winger had just finished the season at Wakefield, playing the last six games of the campaign following his return to Belle Vue.

He was told that the deal would be extended to make him a Wildcats player for the 2012 Super League season.

But, when Tadulala returned from international duty, he was informed that there was to be no contract extension after all.

With a pregnant wife and financial commitments to fulfil, he was left searching for a new club.

A return to Bradford, for whom he scored 37 tries in 52 appearances between 2008 and 2009, appealed to the born-again Christian.

“I spoke to Lee St Hilaire (Bulls assistant coach) about coming back to the Bulls but he said they were pretty much up to the salary cap,” said Tadulala.

“I totally understood but Bradford was a great experience for me.

“I had the best time of my career at Odsal and really enjoyed my time there. They were a great two years at Bradford for me personally, if not for the club.

“But who’s to say I couldn’t go back there at some point?”

Tadulala’s advancing years – he is 34 in March – means that prospect is distant to say the least.

Yet he remains in fine physical condition and has no plans to retire any time soon.

Despite failing to earn a contract at a Super League club, Tadulala will instead line up for a star-studded Keighley Cougars side in the Championship next season.

Wakefield’s decision not to offer him a contract for 2012 still rankles but his Christian faith – Tadulala is a regular at the Abundant Life Church in Bradford – helped him to come to terms with it.

And he is currently weighing up his options, with a full-time community role with Wakefield believed to be on the table, enabling him to play for Cougars on match terms.

“I had played at Wakefield for four seasons in total and to be told there was to be no deal was a slap in the face,” he said.

“It was disappointing, plus my wife is halfway through her pregnancy and we need some security.

“But God is bigger than Wakefield and bigger than me.

“He knows what is the best option for me and I’m still grateful to Wakefield for giving me the opportunity to come back to rugby league after a spell in rugby union with Gloucester and Leeds Carnegie.”

Tadulala has become the latest ex-Wakefield player to join the ranks at Cougar Park.

Cougars player-coach and Wildcats legend Jason Demetriou has already signed Sam Obst, Paul March and Michael Korkidas following the club’s promotion back to the Championship.

Tadulala said: “There’s obviously a few boys from Wakey and a number of guys who were there last year.

“It’s a good mix and we have built a very good squad, with plenty of youth and experience.

“I’m not just there for myself, I’m there to help the younger guys too.”

He has not given up hope of being snapped up by a Super League club and has set his heart on playing for Fiji in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Tadulala added: “If I play well enough in the Championship I might get picked up by a Super League club.

“I still feel great physically, even though I am knocking on a bit now.

“I keep myself fit and I want to play for as long as I can.

“Playing for Fiji in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup would be the pinnacle for me of my career.

“I played in the 2000 World Cup here in England and it would be fantastic to do so again 13 years on.

“It would be amazing and that’s my goal.”

Tadulala, meanwhile, for so long a prolific winger, is likely to be used in the centres by Cougars boss Demetriou.

“I finished up the season playing at centre for Wakefield and I also played there for Fiji against Papua New Guinea as well,” said Tadulala.

“It’s a new position for me but I quite enjoyed it because I get to do more tackling.”