BRADFORD Bulls have made the eye-catching signing of outside back Waqa Blake, following his departure from St Helens.

He arrives at the club on a two-year deal, and is likely to be fighting for a spot either in the centres or out on the wing.

The Fijian made 165 appearances in the NRL, first with Penrith Panthers, then at Parramatta Eels, scoring 62 tries over in Australia, before joining St Helens in Betfred Super League for the 2024 season.

While his scoring record at the Totally Wicked Stadium was healthy enough, 11 tries in 24 appearances, he did spend time in the reserves due to poor performances, and few Saints were sad to see him released.

But Jayden Okunbor and Franklin Pele, who had very poor seasons in Super League with Hull FC in the early part of 2024, both shone when signing for Bulls in mid-season, taking the Championship by storm.

Jayden Okunbor had a poor start to the year with Hull F.C., but he shone once he joined Bradford.Jayden Okunbor had a poor start to the year with Hull FC, but he scored try after try once he joined Bradford. (Image: Tom Pearson.)

Blake looks likely to be a difficult proposition for second-tier defences, as he looks to get his career in England back on track after a difficult start.

The 30-year-old discussed signing for Bradford and buying into the project that is being built at Odsal.

He told the club website: "I'm extremely excited to get started here, the club has plenty of history and that was obviously a factor in signing.

“The club is building a strong squad for the Championship and I'm excited to get started and play my part.

"I'm looking forward to meeting all the players, staff and most importantly the Bradford Bulls fans who I cannot wait to play in front of, it's going to be a great year."

Bulls head coach Brian Noble expressed his delight over managing to bring Blake to the club until the end of 2026.

He said: “Waqa Blake is a real strong signing for us.

“You very rarely get to sign players at Championship level who have played 165 games in the NRL and numerous games in the Super League.

“He will be a real quality addition for our squad and especially our backline.

"We are thankful that he’s signed for the Bulls, as there was plenty of interest from other teams.

“It indicates that the club is going in the right direction and the Bradford Bulls is still a strong brand."

Blake will be sponsored by Batty Developments for the 2025 season, who the club have thanked for their continued support.

He is the third player in the Bulls back line to have experience of playing in the NRL, alongside wingers Okunbor and Jorge Taufua.

While Blake left Fiji to move to Sydney at the age of just nine, he has never forgotten his roots.

He has seven caps for his country, including two at the 2024 Pacific Championships last month, scoring three tries in total.

Blake has also represented Fiji in the past at Rugby League Nines level.

The 30-year-old is the eighth new first-team signing made by Bradford ahead of the 2025 season, joining Joe Keyes, Matty Gee, James Donaldson, Ronan Michael, Guy Armitage, Emmanuel Waine and James Meadows in that category.

Guy Armitage scored this try for Toulouse to break Bradford hearts in the Betfred Championship play-offs last month, but he has now signed for the West Yorkshire side. (Image: Frederic Speziale.)

Teenage hooker Mason Corbett arrived at the club from Leeds Rhinos last Tuesday, though he is expected to primarily play in Bulls’ reserves for 2025.

Depending on his development in the coming months though, he could be pushing like Jamie Gill, Jacob Bateman and Sam Ackroyd for some first-team minutes next year.