Shontayne Hape today announced he is feeling in good nick ahead of Super League XIII.

The Bulls ace got his sole run-out before the big kick-off by starring in Sunday's 84-4 rout of Keighley.

Returning from a broken wrist, Hape showed no signs of sluggishness as he cruised in for a hat-trick of tries.

"It went fine," admitted the New Zealand centre.

"I was blowing a bit at one point but it's good to get the lungs opened up again.

"There were no problems with the wrist and I was glad to be playing again.

"It was my my first game since the Test series last autumn so it was great to get 70 minutes.

"Getting a few tries was a bonus. I know they don't really count in these games and Super League's when it matters but it's always good to get over."

It was also only Hape's third outing since returning from a knee reconstruction that blighted his 2007 but he looked as slick as ever.

Now the stellar 26-year-old is itching to go in the opener at Wakefield in just 12 days.

"The Keighley boys played really well and it was only in the second half when we pulled away," Hape added.

"We know there's a big gap between this and Super League and we'll have to raise the bar ready for Wakefield but it was a good work-out and we'll be ready.

"There's no better way to get fit than playing so it was good to get a hit-out and to play alongside some of the new guys for the first time like Chris Nero inside me and Ben Jeffries."

  • Start or join a debate on this issue in our online forum - Click here