New recruit Manase Manuokafoa will take inspiration from Bulls legend Lesley Vainikolo as he gears up for his arrival at Odsal.

The powerhouse prop, who became Bradford’s sixth new signing earlier this month, is a distant relative of the former Odsal winger.

Manuokafoa was born in Sydney but his parents are Tongan and are linked to Vainikolo’s family.

Vainikolo’s terrorising runs down Bradford’s left flank, intimidating and inspiring in equal measure, went down in Odsal folklore after he scored 149 tries for the club during a five-and-a-half-year spell.

And Manuokafoa, who has signed a one-year deal with the Bulls, said: “Do I look up to Les? Absolutely.

“Les is a distant relative of mine and I admire him greatly after everything he has achieved in his career, particularly at Bradford.

“He was a true legend at the club and I would love to make a similar impact at Odsal. Like Les, I believe in God and my faith can only help me in my career.”

The giant Tonga international, who stands 6ft 5in and weighs in at over 17st, arrives from Parramatta Eels following spells with South Sydney and North Queensland Cowboys.

Manuokafoa has an impressive pedigree, having made almost 90 NRL appearances for his three clubs, but largely played in Parramatta’s reserve side in 2011, making just two first-team appearances.

But he is confident he can make the grade in Super League and said: “I recently watched the Grand Final between St Helens and Leeds Rhinos on television in Australia. It was a great game with fantastic intensity and it was very close.

“Then I looked at the map and saw that Bradford and Leeds are next to one another. They are our next door neighbours and I’m already looking to the games against the Rhinos next season.”

* Bulls pre-season schedule – Boxing Day: v Castleford, at The Jungle (1pm); Sunday, January 15: v Featherstone Rovers, at The Big Fellas Stadium (3pm); Sunday, January 22: v Dewsbury Rams, at Tetley’s Stadium (3pm); Friday, January 27 or Sunday, January 29 (tbc): v Hull, at KC Stadium.