 Vainikolo had a remarkable scoring record for the Bulls |
Bradford have confirmed that Lesley Vainikolo has definitely played his last game for the club and will not return to play in the Challenge Cup. The Bulls had an option to recall the winger, who joined rugby union side Gloucester on 1 July, for Saturday's semi-final against St Helens.
"It is a big decision but we all came to it," said coach Steve McNamara.
"We thought long and hard but made it collectively and it is the right one to go ahead with what we have."
McNamara said he had consulted his coaching staff and also given his players a say in the matter.
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"For us as a club and as a team it's probably best we move on and Les moves on as well. We felt collectively it was the right thing to do," he explained.
Bradford face St Helens in the Cup semi-final at Huddersfield on Saturday, with a place in the final at Wembley on 25 August up for grabs, and should the Bulls reach it, Vainikolo will not be considered for that game either.
Their decision may have been made easier by the fact that his replacement, fellow New Zealander Tame Tupou, has scored six tries in six games since coming into the side.
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