88Knight4life
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Supposedly the knights are keen on Bateman,
I personally think his a hot head that will get pumped in the nrl.
I personally think his a hot head that will get pumped in the nrl.
Rumour: Knights interested in John Bateman
- Thread starter 88Knight4life
- Start date
slotmachine
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
He'd make a perfect pair with moga
rhugh89
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
From Fox Sports
ANOTHER English rugby league star could soon be on his way to Australia, with Wigan forward John Bateman expressing a strong desire to test himself in the NRL.
The 24-year-old, who featured in all of England’s World Cup matches last year, says it was his experiences during the tournament that reinforced his goal to play Down Under.
He’ll have a terrific chance to showcase his skills to NRL scouts when Wigan face Hull FC in the first ever Super League match played outside of Europe on February 10 at WIN Stadium.
The Warriors will also tackle South Sydney in a double-header at ANZ Stadium on February 17, with St George Illawarra doing battle with Hull FC in the other clash.
Bateman has always made it known about his intentions to play in Australia, so much so he had an NRL get-out clause included in his current Warriors deal which expires at the end of 2018.
“I’m off contract at the end of this year so (the NRL) is something that I’d like to explore,” Bateman tells foxsports.com.au.
“Seeing what it was like when I was playing over there for the World Cup, it’s really good, just how big of a scale rugby league is over in Australia.
“It’s one of those things I’d definitely explore to see the possibilities, but also speak to Wigan to see what they’ve got to offer as well.
“It’s a fantastic place to live. Spending time over there has motivated me a bit more to want to come over (to play).
“It’ll be a big thing leaving the family but it’s definitely one of those experiences where I’d like to test myself and give it a go.”
Bateman, who considers himself a backrower despite playing nine of his 11 Tests for England in the centres, has never been short of NRL interest.
“When I was at Bradford, Wayne Bennett spoke to me when he was at the Newcastle Knights,” he revealed.
“Canberra have spoken to me a few times and there’s been a couple of other ones that were interested when I signed my current contract.
“I’ll just go through my agent to see what he thinks is best for me.”
It was at Bradford where Bateman forged a strong friendship with fellow England international Elliott Whitehead.
He admits the Raiders star has been trying to convince him to make the move.
“When I first signed on at Bradford as a young kid at 16, he was about 20,” he says.
“He used to take me to training and stuff like that so we’ve been close mates ever since.
“He’s been in my ear a bit. He’s been talking Australia up and saying how much he likes it at Canberra, how good it is out there and the lifestyle.”
But for now, Bateman’s immediate focus is on Wigan’s upcoming season and their fleeting visit to Sydney.
“It’s very exciting; I’m looking forward to it,” he says.
“Some players may never get the chance to play in Australia, so for them it’s a really good opportunity.
“All the boys are very excited; they’re all trying to get their beach body ready.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/en...l/news-story/69b7ef10f8493a8c64b196035ae4e6e2
ANOTHER English rugby league star could soon be on his way to Australia, with Wigan forward John Bateman expressing a strong desire to test himself in the NRL.
The 24-year-old, who featured in all of England’s World Cup matches last year, says it was his experiences during the tournament that reinforced his goal to play Down Under.
He’ll have a terrific chance to showcase his skills to NRL scouts when Wigan face Hull FC in the first ever Super League match played outside of Europe on February 10 at WIN Stadium.
The Warriors will also tackle South Sydney in a double-header at ANZ Stadium on February 17, with St George Illawarra doing battle with Hull FC in the other clash.
Bateman has always made it known about his intentions to play in Australia, so much so he had an NRL get-out clause included in his current Warriors deal which expires at the end of 2018.
“I’m off contract at the end of this year so (the NRL) is something that I’d like to explore,” Bateman tells foxsports.com.au.
“Seeing what it was like when I was playing over there for the World Cup, it’s really good, just how big of a scale rugby league is over in Australia.
“It’s one of those things I’d definitely explore to see the possibilities, but also speak to Wigan to see what they’ve got to offer as well.
“It’s a fantastic place to live. Spending time over there has motivated me a bit more to want to come over (to play).
“It’ll be a big thing leaving the family but it’s definitely one of those experiences where I’d like to test myself and give it a go.”
Bateman, who considers himself a backrower despite playing nine of his 11 Tests for England in the centres, has never been short of NRL interest.
“When I was at Bradford, Wayne Bennett spoke to me when he was at the Newcastle Knights,” he revealed.
“Canberra have spoken to me a few times and there’s been a couple of other ones that were interested when I signed my current contract.
“I’ll just go through my agent to see what he thinks is best for me.”
It was at Bradford where Bateman forged a strong friendship with fellow England international Elliott Whitehead.
He admits the Raiders star has been trying to convince him to make the move.
“When I first signed on at Bradford as a young kid at 16, he was about 20,” he says.
“He used to take me to training and stuff like that so we’ve been close mates ever since.
“He’s been in my ear a bit. He’s been talking Australia up and saying how much he likes it at Canberra, how good it is out there and the lifestyle.”
But for now, Bateman’s immediate focus is on Wigan’s upcoming season and their fleeting visit to Sydney.
“It’s very exciting; I’m looking forward to it,” he says.
“Some players may never get the chance to play in Australia, so for them it’s a really good opportunity.
“All the boys are very excited; they’re all trying to get their beach body ready.”
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/en...l/news-story/69b7ef10f8493a8c64b196035ae4e6e2
Joshhh
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
He definitively won't be coming to the NRL as a centre, he's a backrower through & through. Started playing very young & we've been chasing him ever since, so very experienced & hardened, but very small. I've only seen him play a few times, but he reminds me of a skinny version of Luke Yates.
Frank McWilliams
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Didn't we try this last year with a centre/2nd row player that didn't work out.
Have plenty good and promising 2nd rowers need a top class specialist centre, no thanks.
Have plenty good and promising 2nd rowers need a top class specialist centre, no thanks.
cowboyman
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Although on the smaller scale he can put fear in the opposition as he is very powerful especially in defence. Just think his height size could be a factor for backrow with the way the game is going. Could be forced to move in as a lock unless he can get upto speed in centre which I just can't see for a full NRL season.
Chief Longhorn
David Smith
PASS! We have enough young talent to develop without taking unnecessary risks on untried poms! If a legit top-line forward was to come onto the market, different story.
Sam Stone will be our next great back-rower, with only an ounce of luck!
Sam Stone will be our next great back-rower, with only an ounce of luck!
Yea this makes fk all sense
We've already got a surplus of super talented up and coming backrowers. The only scenario where Brown can be considered sane is if Bateman plays in the centres. But even then. Everybody knows Super League backs dont convert to the NRL
Sam Tompkins is like the Darren Lockyer Johns Lewis of the SL, and he looked like a regular FG fullback at the Warriors. Then there was that other superstar gronk who played for the Panthers. By the end of the season we was fighting for a start in reggies
We've already got a surplus of super talented up and coming backrowers. The only scenario where Brown can be considered sane is if Bateman plays in the centres. But even then. Everybody knows Super League backs dont convert to the NRL
Sam Tompkins is like the Darren Lockyer Johns Lewis of the SL, and he looked like a regular FG fullback at the Warriors. Then there was that other superstar gronk who played for the Panthers. By the end of the season we was fighting for a start in reggies
Joshhh
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
The thought could be that Super League backs don't convert to the NRL, so instead sign a tough SL backrower utility type as a back, because presumably, as a forward they should have the size, toughness, defence & general grittyness that English backs lack. Joe Wardle for example. The downside is you'll only get a Storm-like tradesman rather than a flashy guy. And that's only if they're even fit, agile or fast enough to play in the backs at NRL level.
Wobbles
Evan Cochrane
Seems that the pommies that make the biggest, sustained impact are those who pack down in the front row.
Widdop is among the best of the smaller guys, but even still he's middle of the road at best. Maybe alongside Hunt he'll regain the form he showed when paired with Cronk, but don't expect anything special from him on a regular basis.
Widdop is among the best of the smaller guys, but even still he's middle of the road at best. Maybe alongside Hunt he'll regain the form he showed when paired with Cronk, but don't expect anything special from him on a regular basis.
That is exactly how wardle was talked up though, havnt seen enough of him to give a judgement. I dont think we need anymore backrowers
Grandpa Joe
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Shame there is no Adrian Morley clones going around, we are still missing a genuine enforcer in our pack that puts fear in the opposition.
Y overlook King 4 ??
Grandpa Joe
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
King at best will be a solid first grader like the vastly overrated on here Aiden Tolman, though he does have some mongrel in him unlike Tolman who couldn't bruise a grape.
danknights
Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Bruising opposition or not. I just want the team to make their tackles.