Vainikolo agrees new Bulls deal
TUESDAY - 22nd March 2005
Bradford Bulls winger Lesley Vainikolo has turned his back on a switch of codes by signing a new contract that will keep him at Odsal until the end of the 2009 Super League season.
The 25-year-old New Zealand international, who is something of a cult figure at the Bulls, pulled out of talks with Gloucester - and a proposed link-up with his former Bulls team-mate Henry Paul - when Bradford offered him a four-year extension to his contract, which was due to run out at the end of this season.
My wife and I have been very happy here and we feel this is the best place to be, said the Tonga-born Vainikolo, who got married in the close season.
Its a great club and everyone has been fantastic since we came here. It was a very big offer from Gloucester but we discussed it and decided to take less money to stay here.
It would have been disastrous if I had gone and not enjoyed it because there would have been no coming back here. The success I have had here since I joined also played a part in my decision and I am sure we will be challenging for honours this time around.
The coaches here are very good and so are my team-mates, so I feel we have made the right decision.
Vainikolo, who joined the Bulls from Canberra Raiders three years ago, has scored 81 tries in 87 appearances, including a record 36 in the Super League regular season in 2004.
Lesley is a world-class player and was in big demand from both union and league clubs, said Bradford coach Brian Noble. To manage to keep him in rugby league says a lot for the sport and also the Bradford Bulls.
Les is very happy here and never wanted to leave so to have him on board and fully committed to the club for the next four years is tremendous. He will be 29 when his new contract expires and I think he will improve even more over the next four years.
