Jorge Taufua secures Championship move following release from Wakefield Trinity
Bradford Bulls have confirmed the signing of overseas winger Jorge Taufua following his release from Super League side Wakefield.
Taufua, 31, made 14 appearances for the club following his 2022 mid-season switch from Australia.
He joins the Championship side on a deal until the end of next season.
The ex-Manly Sea Eagles representative was on contract until the end of the current campaign, and has made 11 appearances in the current Super League season.
His last appearance came against Leigh, missing the 24-14 home victory over Leeds in the competition.
“The club can confirm that Jorge Taufua has agreed a mutual release, which will offer him the chance to secure an opportunity elsewhere,” Wakefield said in a statement.
“Wakefield Trinity thank Jorge for his service and wish him all the best for the future.”
Taufua’s debut year was cut short by injury, limiting him to just two appearances following his move last July.
He suffered a broken arm in just his second game following a challenge from Konrad Hurrell in the 13-12 golden defeat to St Helens last year.
The departure leaves head coach Mark Applegarth with Tom Lineham and Lee Kershaw as options on the wing, while trialist Romain Franco scored a try in the home victory over the Rhinos on his Wakefield debut – the club’s first win of the season.
Bradford Bulls welcome Jorge Taufua
Taufua follows in the footsteps of Lee Gaskell, who joined Bradford from Wakefield earlier this week on a deal until the end of 2024.
Gaskell, 32, made seven appearances for Trinity this season. The utility returns to Odsal Stadium where he enjoyed a three-year spell between 2014-16.
The signing announcement also follows the news that Bodene Thompson will depart the club to return to New Zealand following the club’s match with Keighley on Sunday, July 2.
The 34-year-old made the switch from Leeds ahead of the 2023 campaign on a one-year deal.
“I’m eager to be joining the Bradford Bulls, a club with proud history and is striving at the top end of the league for promotion so this is an exciting challenge for me to be a part of,” said Taufua.
“I look forward to doing my part for this team and club, meeting the squad and staff and passionate community.
“Bradford fans can expect me to represent and respect their club and community by my desire and effort and hopefully together we can achieve great things by the end of the year. I have heard great things about the fans and am looking forward to meeting them.”
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