Bulls land Tupou

New Zealand international Tame Tupou has agreed a four-year contract with Bradford Bulls as a replacement for Lesley Vainikolo.

The 17-stone Brisbane Broncos winger, 24, has been released by his Australian club and will fly to England once his work permit is processed.

"I'm hoping to be over next week and can't wait to start playing for Bradford," Tupou told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

"Bradford are doing great at the moment - I've seen a couple of games already and they're at the top of the table. Hopefully I can get back to playing some good footy but I just want to get there and concentrate on training well first."

Although he was Brisbane's joint-top try-scorer last season, Tupou was left out of their Grand Final-winning side and did not face St Helens in the World Club Challenge in February.

Tupou, who played in the Tri-Nations last year, is the latest in a long line of Kiwis to play at Odsal following on from the likes of Lesley Vainikolo, Shontayne Hape, Joe Vagana and Robbie and Henry Paul.

Vainikolo, who has an amazing try tally of 140 in 144 appearances for the Bulls, is expected to complete a cross-code move to Gloucester at the end of May and could play alongside Tupou in the short term.

Meanwhile, Bradford are celebrating a House of Lords ruling that could spare them having to pay compensation to Leeds for the signing of Iestyn Harris.

Two years ago the High Court decided that the Rhinos had first option on Harris when he returned from his spell in Welsh rugby union and they were awarded £64,000 in costs.

But the Lords on Wednesday ruled against Mainstream Properties Ltd in a case about inducement and the Bulls believe that has set a precedent.