England star John Bateman refused to discuss speculation linking him with an NRL return insisting - for now - he’s only bothered about the World Cup.
Reports Down Under claim the abrasive forward will join Wests Tigers after the tournament with the Sydney club willing to pay Wigan around £140,000. Gritty Yorkshireman Bateman, 29, was a big hit with Canberra Raiders when he earned the 2019 Dally M second-row of the year while helping them reach the NRL Grand Final. He returned to Wigan at the end of the following season due to family reasons but is now thought to be contemplating another move.
Bateman has another two years left on his Wigan deal meaning Wests would have to fork out a transfer fee. But asked about the reports ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final with Papua New Guinea, he said: “I think I’m pretty sure I’m here to talk about England. I’ll talk to you about that (NRL speculation) after the World Cup. I want to focus on the World Cup, to be fair.”
That response has done little to suggest Bateman won’t be heading out of Wigan - where England face the Kumuls on Saturday - for a second time. England boss Shaun Wane, meanwhile, has not publicly named his side yet for the crunch clash. But he’s told his squad what the team will be with a “couple” of changes to the side that thrashed Samoa 60-6 in their opener.
One of those will be Bateman, who was suspended for that game but has featured in the following wins over France and Greece. Wane also had a conundrum over which winger to pick: Tommy Makinson or Ryan Hall. He admitted: “It’s not been an easy few days as I’m leaving people out who never get left out. They always start in their respective club teams. But we’re all friends. And we have to win Saturday. It’s knockout rugby now and I have to pick a team I think will get us through.”
Wane said the rested captain Sam Tomkins and centre Kallum Watkins, who sat out Saturday’s win over Greece, were both fit to return. He has been impressed with the Papuans who secured their quarter-final spot with Monday’s 36-0 win over Wales. Wane added: “They’ve been really good. They can challenge teams.
“They run hard, they're a tough nation and defend like their lives depend on it. I don't really care if we're favourites, but I know it's going to be full on. I thought the Samoa game was going to be but it wasn’t. Obviously they’ve improved massively since then. But this will be a tough challenge.”
For Wiganer Wane, leading his country out at the club where he won three Super League titles, is “special.” He said: “I’m living the dream. I coached my hometown club and then got the call I never thought would come asking me to coach my country. Then to be at a home World Cup and coach at the ground where I live is unbelievably exciting. I’m loving every day with these players. I don’t want it to end.”
