John Bateman #268

I'm going back there: Bateman shuts down talk of Wests Tigers departure​

AuthorSteve MascordNRL ReporterTimestampFri 25 Oct 2024, 10:15 AM

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England's John Bateman insists he is mystified by reports linking him with an early departure from Wests Tigers - but says he’s had minimal contact with the club since July and won’t be back to deal with the situation until after Christmas.
Bateman has not been interviewed since reports he was at loggerheads with the joint venture’s coach Benji Marshall - followed in recent days by transfer speculation involving Manly - emerged during his guest stint with Sam Burgess’ Warrington.

But the 31-year-old spoke to NRL.com after training with England at Wigan’s Robin Park on Thursday, ahead of the Test against Samoa next door at the Brick Community Stadium this Sunday.
"Honestly mate, it’s news to me when it comes out,” Bateman said after signing autographs and posing for photos with dozens of schoolchildren.
“I’ve not spoke to anyone over there regarding the team and stuff like that; I’ve got two years left at Wests Tigers and I’m going back there.
“I’ve not even spoken to Wests Tigers since I left, to be fair. They just sent me a message saying [when] I’m due in.
John Bateman meets the fans ahead of England's Test against Samoa.
John Bateman meets the fans ahead of England's Test against Samoa.
“From there, I’m literally unsure about that stuff.”
Bateman was also asked about Wests Tigers’ CEO Shane Richardson’s comments that he needed to “want to be at the club for the crocodile roll that lies ahead. If he’s not comfortable with the club and the direction Benji is taking us, that is a decision for him".
Bateman said: "I don't know where that came from. It is what it is. Like I said, I'm going back there.
Whatever gets said and whatever goes on, that's been said. I'm looking forward to being back there
John Bateman
"So yeah, I'll be spending my time with my family but after Christmas I'll be back there."
Asked about suggestions Manly would take over his contract, Bateman said: "News to me. I'm not usually on Twitter and stuff like that. I don't follow any rugby league columns on Instagram so... I've had a few texts.
"I don't where it came from, I don't know who said it."

Bateman said he'd not thought about a return to Super League when his time in the NRL is up.
"I've got two more years at Wests Tigers - when it comes that time I'll go from there but until then I just want to enjoy every moment.
"When you get older it just gets faster and faster and you just want to enjoy every moment."
But the decorated back-rower-cum-centre made it clear he was not ready to wind down his international career, with the 2025 Ashes and 2026 World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea at the forefront of his mind.
Bateman puts on the afterburners

Bateman puts on the afterburners

Bateman puts on the afterburners
"I'm getting a bit older now and you don't look too far ahead but there's a World Cup in, what, two years and hopefully a tour against Australia," he said.
"It's one step at a time but that is obviously an aim and a goal.
"I love playing for my country. I love being around them boys, I love coming into camp.
"It's where I've been born and bred. I'll always represent my country, even if they have to wheel me out on a wheelchair."
He said that while international rugby league was on a good footing, for England and Great Britain there was more work to be done to recapture past glories in terms of public appeal.
"The international stage, when I were younger, it was the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain playing each other and was fantastic.
John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers

John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers

John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers
"Now you chuck in Tonga and Samoa into that ... Fiji, Papua New Guinea ... we've got the teams there.
"It's just about growing it I think, making everyone on the same level as each other.
"They're getting behind the Pacific Tests. Do the same over here and have us playing each other as much as possible, even if you had to do it throughout the year and find a slot.
"There's so much growth there, so much potential."
 

I'm going back there: Bateman shuts down talk of Wests Tigers departure​

AuthorSteve MascordNRL ReporterTimestampFri 25 Oct 2024, 10:15 AM

Share on social media​

England's John Bateman insists he is mystified by reports linking him with an early departure from Wests Tigers - but says he’s had minimal contact with the club since July and won’t be back to deal with the situation until after Christmas.
Bateman has not been interviewed since reports he was at loggerheads with the joint venture’s coach Benji Marshall - followed in recent days by transfer speculation involving Manly - emerged during his guest stint with Sam Burgess’ Warrington.

But the 31-year-old spoke to NRL.com after training with England at Wigan’s Robin Park on Thursday, ahead of the Test against Samoa next door at the Brick Community Stadium this Sunday.
"Honestly mate, it’s news to me when it comes out,” Bateman said after signing autographs and posing for photos with dozens of schoolchildren.
“I’ve not spoke to anyone over there regarding the team and stuff like that; I’ve got two years left at Wests Tigers and I’m going back there.
“I’ve not even spoken to Wests Tigers since I left, to be fair. They just sent me a message saying [when] I’m due in.
John Bateman meets the fans ahead of England's Test against Samoa.'s Test against Samoa.
John Bateman meets the fans ahead of England's Test against Samoa.
“From there, I’m literally unsure about that stuff.”
Bateman was also asked about Wests Tigers’ CEO Shane Richardson’s comments that he needed to “want to be at the club for the crocodile roll that lies ahead. If he’s not comfortable with the club and the direction Benji is taking us, that is a decision for him".
Bateman said: "I don't know where that came from. It is what it is. Like I said, I'm going back there.

"So yeah, I'll be spending my time with my family but after Christmas I'll be back there."
Asked about suggestions Manly would take over his contract, Bateman said: "News to me. I'm not usually on Twitter and stuff like that. I don't follow any rugby league columns on Instagram so... I've had a few texts.
"I don't where it came from, I don't know who said it."

Bateman said he'd not thought about a return to Super League when his time in the NRL is up.
"I've got two more years at Wests Tigers - when it comes that time I'll go from there but until then I just want to enjoy every moment.
"When you get older it just gets faster and faster and you just want to enjoy every moment."
But the decorated back-rower-cum-centre made it clear he was not ready to wind down his international career, with the 2025 Ashes and 2026 World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea at the forefront of his mind.
Bateman puts on the afterburners

Bateman puts on the afterburners

Bateman puts on the afterburners
"I'm getting a bit older now and you don't look too far ahead but there's a World Cup in, what, two years and hopefully a tour against Australia," he said.
"It's one step at a time but that is obviously an aim and a goal.
"I love playing for my country. I love being around them boys, I love coming into camp.
"It's where I've been born and bred. I'll always represent my country, even if they have to wheel me out on a wheelchair."
He said that while international rugby league was on a good footing, for England and Great Britain there was more work to be done to recapture past glories in terms of public appeal.
"The international stage, when I were younger, it was the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain playing each other and was fantastic.
John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers

John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers

John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers
"Now you chuck in Tonga and Samoa into that ... Fiji, Papua New Guinea ... we've got the teams there.
"It's just about growing it I think, making everyone on the same level as each other.
"They're getting behind the Pacific Tests. Do the same over here and have us playing each other as much as possible, even if you had to do it throughout the year and find a slot.
"There's so much growth there, so much potential."
Hmm....
 

I'm going back there: Bateman shuts down talk of Wests Tigers departure​

AuthorSteve MascordNRL ReporterTimestampFri 25 Oct 2024, 10:15 AM

Share on social media​

England's John Bateman insists he is mystified by reports linking him with an early departure from Wests Tigers - but says he’s had minimal contact with the club since July and won’t be back to deal with the situation until after Christmas.
Bateman has not been interviewed since reports he was at loggerheads with the joint venture’s coach Benji Marshall - followed in recent days by transfer speculation involving Manly - emerged during his guest stint with Sam Burgess’ Warrington.

But the 31-year-old spoke to NRL.com after training with England at Wigan’s Robin Park on Thursday, ahead of the Test against Samoa next door at the Brick Community Stadium this Sunday.
"Honestly mate, it’s news to me when it comes out,” Bateman said after signing autographs and posing for photos with dozens of schoolchildren.
“I’ve not spoke to anyone over there regarding the team and stuff like that; I’ve got two years left at Wests Tigers and I’m going back there.
“I’ve not even spoken to Wests Tigers since I left, to be fair. They just sent me a message saying [when] I’m due in.
John Bateman meets the fans ahead of England's Test against Samoa.'s Test against Samoa.
John Bateman meets the fans ahead of England's Test against Samoa.
“From there, I’m literally unsure about that stuff.”
Bateman was also asked about Wests Tigers’ CEO Shane Richardson’s comments that he needed to “want to be at the club for the crocodile roll that lies ahead. If he’s not comfortable with the club and the direction Benji is taking us, that is a decision for him".
Bateman said: "I don't know where that came from. It is what it is. Like I said, I'm going back there.

"So yeah, I'll be spending my time with my family but after Christmas I'll be back there."
Asked about suggestions Manly would take over his contract, Bateman said: "News to me. I'm not usually on Twitter and stuff like that. I don't follow any rugby league columns on Instagram so... I've had a few texts.
"I don't where it came from, I don't know who said it."

Bateman said he'd not thought about a return to Super League when his time in the NRL is up.
"I've got two more years at Wests Tigers - when it comes that time I'll go from there but until then I just want to enjoy every moment.
"When you get older it just gets faster and faster and you just want to enjoy every moment."
But the decorated back-rower-cum-centre made it clear he was not ready to wind down his international career, with the 2025 Ashes and 2026 World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea at the forefront of his mind.
Bateman puts on the afterburners

Bateman puts on the afterburners

Bateman puts on the afterburners
"I'm getting a bit older now and you don't look too far ahead but there's a World Cup in, what, two years and hopefully a tour against Australia," he said.
"It's one step at a time but that is obviously an aim and a goal.
"I love playing for my country. I love being around them boys, I love coming into camp.
"It's where I've been born and bred. I'll always represent my country, even if they have to wheel me out on a wheelchair."
He said that while international rugby league was on a good footing, for England and Great Britain there was more work to be done to recapture past glories in terms of public appeal.
"The international stage, when I were younger, it was the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain playing each other and was fantastic.
John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers

John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers

John Bateman arrives at Wests Tigers
"Now you chuck in Tonga and Samoa into that ... Fiji, Papua New Guinea ... we've got the teams there.
"It's just about growing it I think, making everyone on the same level as each other.
"They're getting behind the Pacific Tests. Do the same over here and have us playing each other as much as possible, even if you had to do it throughout the year and find a slot.
"There's so much growth there, so much potential."

That does not sound like we are going to get an amicable solution to this.
 
Just bring him back , tell him he needs to lift in attitude and performance or he’s going to be another McQueen and spend 2 years captaining the magpies .
And if that’s not good enough , cool ship him off to Ron Massey . Everybody talks shit until there’s real consequences for thier actions .
He will get his money , but a year in KOE/ Ron Massey , would all but kill his international career , and any chance of 1 big final paycheck to close out his career in England .
He’s been carrying on like a dickhead . That’s not to say Benji handled it perfectly either . Especially if Benji did call him out in front of everyone else .
For me that’s a big betrayal and trust killer . You want to spray him , give him both barrels in a locked room away from everyone else .
If Bateman is bitching about being treated differently to the juniors , well buddy that’s why you’re on 250k more than them , and sometimes 500k . The way Benji handled it appears to be wrong , but the essence of what he was saying is true . Him and klemmer take up 1.5m of our salary cap , and they’re barely above replacement level if at all .
My point in all this is , a closed room old school honesty session is what’s needed . If after that ,you can’t find common ground then there’s an issue .
You don’t have to like someone to have a good working relationship . Although it is pretty handy . But not essential
 
That’s not to say Benji handled it perfectly either . Especially if Benji did call him out in front of everyone else .
We were on top of that game and he threw it away with a dumb pass. There's nothing wrong with a pointed "know when to hang on to the [This word has been automatically removed]ing ball". Do you think Bellamy would for a private meeting for that spray?
 
This has all been fan talk BS.
We need a good backrower, he is a current Teir 1 International and is contracted here for 2 more years. He has said he is returning after Chrissy, same as Luai. I’m sure he will have a senior player sitdown with the coach and get onboard with the stupid crocodile roll or whatever it is.
Our attention should be on the front row.
 
This has all been fan talk BS.
We need a good backrower, he is a current Teir 1 International and is contracted here for 2 more years. He has said he is returning after Chrissy, same as Luai. I’m sure he will have a senior player sitdown with the coach and get onboard with the stupid crocodile roll or whatever it is.
Our attention should be on the front row.
I usually like what you have to say Tucker, but to keep trotting out the line that Bateman is a top tier back rower is truly laughable.

He is well and truly past it and anyone that watched his form in Warrington this year could tell you that.

He's cooked.
 
I usually like what you have to say Tucker, but to keep trotting out the line that Bateman is a top tier back rower is truly laughable.

He is well and truly past it and anyone that watched his form in Warrington this year could tell you that.

He's cooked.
I didn’t pick him in the English team
 

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