Semi Tadulala will finish his injury-jinxed year on a much-needed high on Sunday when he makes his Bulls debut.

The Fijian winger, a recent capture from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, faces Dewsbury Rams in his new club's opening pre-season friendly.

It ends nine months of torment for the player, who broke an arm while starring for Wakefield against Leeds in March.

He then frustratingly missed the rest of their campaign when the fracture failed to heal, needing a second operation.

Bradford boss Steve McNamara originally planned to field a side made entirely of Academy players at Tetley's Stadium but has now decided to hand eager Tadulala a chance to get some action under his belt.

"It has been so long since Semi last played that we thought it'd be best to get him out there on Sunday," said McNamara.

"He's not had any game time for nine months so he needs it and he's trained well."

The 29-year-old is the sole new signing who will feature, with Dave Halley and Matt James the only players having first-team experience.

McNamara explained: "We've got to try and do the right thing by Dewsbury but at the same time have got to have one eye as a club on our own organisation.

"We're happy to fulfil the fixture but it's not quite the right time to start throwing first-team players into friendlies. Pre-season is very short as it is and it wouldn't be productive to do that.

"Our under-21s and under-18s will be fulfilling this fixture, along with Semi, while Matt James and Dave Halley will be there to help the kids out."

The likes of 17-year-olds Jason Crookes and Keale Carlile get a golden chance to impress, having trained full-time with the first-team squad this year.

Wing/centre Crookes is another player relishing the opportunity to get back into action.

McNamara said: "Jason broke his jaw towards the end of last season, missing a major part of the year. He's had a long break but he'll get a shot tomorrow.

"He's a very exciting outside back, just starting his second year of full-time training, and I'm looking forward to him coming through."

Crookes was handed a Super League squad number last season but is yet to make his first-team debut, coming closest as 18th man at Huddersfield Giants in May.

He was fancied to represent England Academy against Australia this autumn until fracturing his jaw in an under-21s game against Warrington.

Carlile, also 17, is a highly-rated hooker from Pontefract who won the club's most improved player award after starring for the under-21s last term.

"I'm looking forward to seeing these young kids and it'll be good for them all to get out on the park," said McNamara.

"We've got high aspirations for them. Tom Olbison has come back having put some real size on in pre-season and our prop Steve Crossley is another one to watch.

"It'll be great just to see a game again after being off so long and hopefully there'll be plenty of positives."

Dewsbury are set to include winger David Clayton, who was a regular scorer for the Bulls Senior Academy last season before moving to the National League One club.

The Bulls won 28-10 in the friendly at Tetley's Stadium last January, rookie Richie Hawkyard giving a man-of-the-match display to win a seat on the plane to Bradford's training camp in Lanzarote.

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