Bulls duo obtain visas
Bulls duo L'Estrange and Kearney obtain visas
Wednesday, 04, Nov 2009 11:31
By Michael Younger.
Bradford Bulls have announced that Australian duo Heath L'Estrange and Brett Kearney have received their visas and will arrive for pre-season training within the next two weeks.
Kearney, the former Cronulla Sharks full back, has recently married and waited until after the ceremony to apply.
Former Manly Sea Eagles hooker L'Estrange obtained his visa several weeks ago and will go into the Bulls squad as a replacement for the former Great Britain international Terry Newton, who has left Odsal for rivals Wakefield.
Bulls media and football manager Stuart Duffy said: "It's a major boost to us and our supporters to know that Brett and Heath have had their visas approved, although we never had any reason to suspect they would not be and they will be here on schedule for pre-season training."
Another Bulls recruit from Australia, Glenn Hall, who was a member of the Manly 2008 NRL Grand Final team, is still awaiting his visa.
However, Duffy said he expects an approval within the next seven days.
"We have spoken to the High Commission in Canberra regarding Glenn Hall, who reapplied due to changes in his family circumstances and we expect his visa will be approved later this week or early next," he added.
Both L'Estrange and Hall will join former Manly team-mate Steve Menzies, who has become one of the Bulls' leading stars since arriving from the NRL at the end of 2008 and recently signed a new 12-month deal for the 2010 season.