Bradford Bulls feel Taufua in top condition as changes made

The big winger looked like he had never been away in Sunday’s Betfred Championship play-off eliminator win over York, despite having been ruled out since the start of August for an alleged bite in the defeat to Barrow.

But Greenwood reflected: “I knew he was capable and Sunday was no surprise, because I’ve seen him around the place over the last six weeks.

“In a funny way, it was probably what he needed, that time out.

“I’m not sure what kind of pre-season he had at Wakefield, but he didn’t look at his peak.

“He’s probably become fitter from his ban, because he’s just been able to train and work on his fitness, with no games in the way.”

Jorge Taufua scored a hat-trick on debut against a hapless Keighley side in July, but Lee Greenwood feels he has improved since. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Taufua is in the squad that heads to France for Bulls’ seismic Betfred Championship play-off semi-final against Toulouse tomorrow, with Greenwood not worried about the difficulties of the trip out there, on and off the field.

He said: “It’s not like we’re travelling to the other side of the world.

“Obviously we have to go out there the day before the game, but it’s only little bits that are different, like having food on the plane.

“We did this trip a few months back and there are things we can improve on from last time, things we’ll expect that threw us a bit back then, so we’ll be better prepared.

“I’d like to think we’re in a better place than when we lost that game in June as well.

“We probably thought we were better than we were back then.

“At the time there’d been no defeats under myself and Brian (Noble) but we got stung by a Toulouse side who were a lot better than anyone else we’d faced.

“I’m hoping we’re generally better than back then but we’ll have to show it for the full 80 minutes, as they can put a decent score on you if you’re not on it.

“We’ll go in as underdogs but the longer we can stay in the game can only put the fright on Toulouse.”