Bradford Bulls sign Samoa’s sevens star
Former Kelston Boys’ High School student Phoenix HunapoNofoa has switched from playing sevens for Samoa, to sign for English rugby league team Bradford Bulls.
The 22-year-old, who’ll play in the halves, had been with the Warriors earlier in his career and represented New Zealand in the 2015 Touch Football World Cup.
He is one of the first signings under the new regime at Bradford, where Graham Lowe has become co-owner and Geoff Toovey is the coach.
Hunapo-Nofoa’s agent Dixon McIvor said they felt moving to the English championship side was the best option for him.
‘‘The biggest reason was the future of where he wanted to play week in, week out football,’’ McIvor said.
‘‘He had always considered going back to league and with what’s happened at Bradford, with Graham Lowe and Andrew Chalmers (former NZRL chairman) taking over, there’s a whole new look to where they’re going.
‘‘Also, with Geoff Toovey as the coach, Phoenix believed it would be a great transition for him from rugby to league, he’ll get to learn from one of the greats.’’
Hunapo-Nofoa was nominated for world sevens rookie of the year last season. He could have chosen to work his way up at and NRL club, but McIvor said they thought moving to England was a better option.
‘‘He could have gone through the NSW Cup system to hopefully earn and NRL spot and the Warriors were a serious consideration for him and went to have a visit,’’ he said.
‘‘But Phoenix wants to play and with the lineup of halves they’ve got there, like Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran, Mason Lino, Ata Hingano and Tui Lolohea. So he’d be ranked fifth or sixth and that makes it harder.’’
Lowe said he expected HunapoNofoa to become a star in England.
‘‘His instinctive attacking and running style will be very exciting to watch. He’s been a great player for Samoa on the World Rugby Sevens circuit.
‘‘We have managed to sign him despite a great deal of interest from several NRL clubs.
‘‘He is very excited about being coached by Geoff Toovey and I know Geoff is the type of coach who will get the very best out of him.’’