Bradford Bulls winger Tevita Vaikona has been called up to the Tongan squad for the World Nines in South Africa in February.

The powerful three-quarter topped the Odsal try-scoring chart last season with 13 in an impressive first season for the club following his £80,000-plus move from Hull a year ago.

"It's a nice reward for Tevita after his efforts last season, and it will be a good experience," said Bulls coach Matthew Elliott.

Vaikona, who was a member of Tonga's 1995 World Cup squad, could be joined in the three-day tournament in Johannesburg, starting on February 4, by Odsal new recruit Henry Paul and brother Robbie, who seem likely to get the call from New Zealand.

But the sides have been kept apart in the opening phase of the competition in which Great Britain and the Kiwis are in Pool A along with the Cook Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. Vaikona and Tonga will do battle with Australia, France, South Africa and Samoa.

The tournament will cause some disruption to the Bulls' pre-season build-up as they are close to finalising a friendly for Sunday, February 7 - a week before the big kick-off in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup.

"We will be definitely be without Tevita on the seventh, and maybe some others, but we are also planning a warm-up game a week earlier so they will get the chance of a run-out," said Elliott.

Details of the warm-up games will be confirmed shortly, but talks have taken place with both Huddersfield Giants and Super League newcomers Wakefield Trinity.

Former Bulls target Daryl Cardiss is set to make his Halifax debut in the Boxing Day Challenge against Leeds at Headingley after joining Blue Sox from Wigan on a three-year contract. The 20-year-old Academy international can operate at full back or on the wing.

"Daryl is yet another quality player who has chosen to join us," said Halifax football manager David Hobbs. "He is young and exciting, and will help us in our bid for honours next season."

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