VILA Halafihi is open to the prospect of being sent to Coventry as he waits for a chance to prove his class to Jimmy Lowes.

The close-season signing from Penrith Panthers has yet to feature for the Bulls this season due to the form of Adam O'Brien.

Regular hooker O'Brien has played the full 80 minutes in all three games against Leigh, Whitehaven and Featherstone, leaving Halafihi and 19-year-old Nathan Conroy in the stands.

Both Halafihi, 21, and Conroy are too old for the under-19s and could gain some first-team action with League One outfit Coventry Bears, who the Bulls have partnered with this season.

Former Leeds Rhinos academy player Halafihi said: "If it means I have to go down to Coventry for some game-time and to put myself in the frame to get in the Bradford side, then that's what I'll do.

"I'll look at all options and I think it's going to be tough for me and Nathan because Adam is playing really well at the moment.

"You've also got to look at the flipside of that – it's a long old season and players will be rested at some point.

"But if Jimmy wants me to go and play at Coventry, then obviously I'll do it. It sounds like they have a good coaching staff down there and I think we've done well to partner with them.

"It will be a challenge for Coventry in League One as they are new to the league. But with a few of our players in there, coupled with their experienced players, I think they can go quite well this season."

Lowes likes his hookers to play the full game and O'Brien has risen to that challenge since the legendary former Bulls number nine was appointed last June.

That would appear to have further reduced the opportunities for Conroy and Halafihi.

But Halafihi, who played in the two pre-season friendlies against Castleford and Leeds, said: "It's not frustrating because we're a really close-knit team.

"Nathan, Adam and I are all competing with each other and wanting to get that nine spot – but we're good mates off the field as well.

"It's good because we're winning games and I thought Adam was one of our best players against Leigh in the opening match.

"He played really well against Whitehaven the week after and then put in another very good performance at Featherstone.

"Nathan and I obviously want to be playing – but we're winning games so all we can do is keep training hard and wait for Jimmy to give us the nod.

"I'm really enjoying myself here and there is a good mix of youth and experience in the squad, which bodes well."