The Bulls still remain confident Greg Bird will wear their colours – despite the Australian Test star having his visa application rejected.

Bird issued a statement yesterday – revealed first on the T&A website – confirming that the UK Border Agency had denied him a visa to enter the country.

Their decision was based on the fact the State of Origin stand-off is due to appear in court in April facing charges of reckless wounding, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and lying to police.

Both he and the Bulls always felt this wouldn’t affect the move, claiming he was “innocent until proven guilty”, and there was even talk of Bird flying over in time to make his debut against Hull KR tomorrow.

Having turned 25 earlier this week, it would have been a perfect belated birthday present but Bird then discovered the ruling had gone against him.

He will now remain in Sydney and stand trial but re-apply for the visa after the court case.

Both parties refuse to believe the move is dead and Bird, who signed a 12-month deal with a two-year option after having his Cronulla Sharks contract terminated, hopes to be playing Super League in May.

In the prepared statement, his agent Chris Orr said: “Greg Bird will have to wait until his day in court to prove his innocence and get back his life.

“Today he has had to endure more heartache as his application to secure a visa to take up his contract with the Bradford Bulls was denied due to facing a police charge. Rather than fight this decision through the appeals process, Greg has decided to have his day in court and prove his innocence before re-applying.

“The Bradford Bulls will support Greg throughout this period with a view to him joining them as soon as he has cleared his name.

“Neither Greg or the Bradford Bulls will be making any further comment until after the court case on April 27.”

The news follows the recent rejection of visa applications to fellow former NRL players Michael Crocker and Todd Carney.

Unlike Bird though, both Crocker and Carney – who were heading to Hull FC and Huddersfield respectively – had previous criminal convictions.

There are also players who have arrived in England already with criminal records but restrictions have tightened up in recent months.

However, Bird believes some of the charges against him will be dropped and the one that might be pressed should not restrict him moving to England, according to the UK Border Agency’s criteria.

Meanwhile, Bulls boss Steve McNamara is concentrating on the immediate matter of tomorrow’s opening Super League match at Grattan Stadium.

After all the wintry weather, his squad enjoyed training in bright sunshine yesterday as they put their final plans together.

“It was good and it makes a difference,” he admitted.

“It’s still very heavy underfoot and I think every team that’s training at the moment is suffering the same.

“It’s been very unpredictable, so we’ll make the most of it when the sun comes out and we’re all just looking forward to starting up tomorrow.”

With the Odsal terraces cleared and the playing surface in “good” condition, the club are confident the game won’t suffer postponement like last week’s match at Harlequins.

Bradford aren’t expecting to need a pitch inspection and are ready to welcome Rovers, whose boss Justin Morgan boldly reckons have a genuine chance of Grand Final glory.

“I think every coach feels that at this stage of the season,” McNamara said.

“They certainly have a real competent squad and are very healthy at the moment too.

“I admire his confidence but we aim to be very good ourselves this year.

“As the season unfolds we may see Rovers change how they play, as may all sides, but it will probably be too early to see that from any team this week simply because of the conditions.

“You have to play a different style of rugby league in the first six weeks to what you will later. That’s what makes it so exciting; you have to be able to adapt to everything.”