Mick Potter has revealed how a glowing reference from New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney persuaded him to bring Manase Manuokafoa to Bradford.

The powerhouse prop, who stands 6ft 5in and weighs over 17st, has been recruited from Parramatta 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 he largely played in Parramatta’s reserve side in 2011, making just two first-team appearances.

Yet Potter had no doubts about the 26-year-old’s quality and handed him a one-year deal after a ringing endorsement from Parramatta and Kiwis coach Kearney.

Potter said: “Steve Kearney couldn’t talk about Manase highly enough.

“I think Steve was keen to give some of the younger guys a go when he arrived at Parramatta as they have so many juniors coming through their ranks.

“But he told me what Manase can do and it was all very positive stuff. He’s a big guy who can offload the ball well and is light on his feet.

“The fact that he played in Parramatta’s reserves for most of the year but was still one of the best players, and also played in their first team, says a lot about his quality.”

The bulk of Potter’s squad returned to pre-season training this morning, including new signing Luke Gale, but Manuokafoa will move to Bradford with his wife and 14-year-old stepson at the end of November as they wait on visa applications.

Potter said: “I met Manase in Australia recently and have also spoken to him a few times on the phone.

“He’s certainly very enthusiastic about coming to Bradford. It’s an opportunity for him and I’m confident that he will be a good, solid player for us.

“He’s excited about playing here and his wife’s keen to come over. He’s got a young stepson who is enthusiastic about the change and it could be a really good move for everyone.”

Potter, meanwhile, is in no rush to appoint a new captain and says he will assess his players’ leadership qualities during pre-season before making an appointment.

The Bulls will undertake a short training camp at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, near York, later this week.

And with the club understood to be spending close to the full salary cap, it is likely that departures would be required before any further new arrivals.

Potter said: “Is this the end of the recruitment? At this stage, yes.”