Red-hot Tame Tupou today thanked Lesley Vainikolo for making his transition to Super League and English life so smooth.

The capture from Brisbane Broncos notched his fourth try in just three games against Leeds Rhinos on Friday night, crossing for a vital score in the 38-14 success.

Tupou scored with his first touch after coming on moments earlier and everything he currently touches seems to be turning to gold.

But the giant winger admits he could not have done it without Vainikolo - the man he was signed to effectively replace - who was playing his final match before heading to Gloucester.

The Tongan pair have struck a firm friendship in the last four weeks and Tupou said: "Personally I didn't know Les before I came.

"I'd seen him on TV and knew he was from Auckland too but that was it.

"He was the first guy to pick me up from my hotel though and take me over to his place for some food - he's never short of food! - and he's really looked after me ever since I've been here.

"It's been pretty sad. Just as I was getting to know him really well I've got to let him go."

Tupou, 24, admits Vainikolo's farewell could not have gone any better after he grabbed a spectacular first-half effort and there was a real unspoken desire to send him out as a winner.

"We all knew it was his last game but Les never once said let's play it for me," he explained.

"He's not that sort of person but going out there we all knew deep inside that Les wanted us to play for him."

Tupou revealed the departing legend addressed the Bulls dressing room after the rousing win.

"Les said he's going to take the team with him wherever he goes, whether playing rugby or travelling around the world, and it was an emotional time," he said.

"He's been here at the club for a while and been really successful. He thanked the admin, the staff and especially the senior players that have been with him that time and everything started kicking in afterwards."

Tupou was staggered by the atmosphere at a sell-out Headingley, admitting: "I knew it was 22,000 but it sounded like 80,000 out there.

"It was so vocal, what I expected, but even at international level you don't get that sort of crowd behind you and the Bradford fans were awesome."

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