VETERAN Bradford Bulls winger Marcus Bai has shocked the engage Super League club by announcing his immediate retirement from rugby.

The 34-year-old Papua New Guinea international, pictured below, had agreed a one-year extension to stay at the Grattan Stadium until the end of the 2007 season, but has decided to end his career after just a year with the club.

Bulls coach Steve McNamara admitted Bai's decision has given him a major headache, saying: "It's a blow. Marcus has been fantastic since he's been at the club both on and off the field.

"We really missed his presence when he was out for big chunks of the season.

"He scores tries, creates opportunities and does a lot of hard work so we will miss him but he's been honest with us.

"His wife has just had a baby and he didn't feel his body would stand another season after giving everything due consideration."

Bai is the only player to win three World Club Challenge medals with different clubs - Bradford, Leeds Rhinos and Melbourne Storm - and scored 12 tries in 26 appearances for the Bulls.