Bateman interview : Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:59 pm  

Bateman appears to be weighing up an NRL move. John Bateman wrote: I like it at Wigan but you want to test yourself against the best. I will probably re-evaluate things after the World Cup and I’d say it’s 50-50 at the moment about what I will do. Really hope we don't lose him, he's a quality player who never lets us down. Not really what you want to hear given the way the season ended and the fact he's got the toughest game of his life coming up on Friday. Is it too difficult to say to the papers "I'm contracted to Wigan, and focused on turning over the aussies on Friday, not touting myself to NRL clubs"?

Bateman appears to be weighing up an NRL move. John Bateman wrote: I like it at Wigan but you want to test yourself against the best. I will probably re-evaluate things after the World Cup and I’d say it’s 50-50 at the moment about what I will do. Really hope we don't lose him, he's a quality player who never lets us down. Not really what you want to hear given the way the season ended and the fact he's got the toughest game of his life coming up on Friday. Is it too difficult to say to the papers "I'm contracted to Wigan, and focused on turning over the aussies on Friday, not touting myself to NRL clubs"?

Re: Bateman interview : Tue Oct 24, 2017 2:08 pm  

Sounds to me like he has been tapped up and already has made his mind up. Apparently the same thing has happened with Walmsley but not sure he would go this year with a new born in the family.

Re: Bateman interview : Tue Oct 24, 2017 2:27 pm  

Would be a huge blow losing him and Lockers at the same time, would require a massive replacement.

Re: Bateman interview : Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:44 pm  

Goodbye and good luck. Massive loss but given the baggage and disruption perhaps we would be better using the cap space to bring in the talent that we need. I would not mind if Gelling (should he stay) was moved into second row, if we could improve the back line attack.

Re: Bateman interview : Tue Oct 24, 2017 3:52 pm  

Levrier wrote:

Goodbye and good luck. Massive loss but given the baggage and disruption perhaps we would be better using the cap space to bring in the talent that we need. I would not mind if Gelling (should he stay) was moved into second row, if we could improve the back line attack.

People often say that, but I think Gelling's high risk play is better suited to centre, where he will have the ball in good attacking positions. If we do lose Bateman, I'd be looking to add some size to the back row to offset Farrell and help out the props. Having a big centre is no bad thing either when you look at we are up against some weeks (Fanoa, Vatuvei, Carney etc)

Re: Bateman interview : Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:05 pm  

He has a contract, and if he was to move to the NRL, I would expect a substantial transfer fee to be forthcoming.

Re: Bateman interview : Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:04 am  

Is anyone surprised about this? If I was in his shoes, I'd be thinking about the NRL too, especially after last season. Williams should have gone when he had the chance, not because I don't rate him, but because he could push on as a player over there.

Re: Bateman interview : Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:59 am  

muttywhitedog wrote:

He has a contract, and if he was to move to the NRL, I would expect a substantial transfer fee to be forthcoming.

Pretty sure he has a clause that he can move to the NRL(?), but we would need a fee as well.

Re: Bateman interview : Thu Oct 26, 2017 10:52 am  

Would be gutted if this is true, but perhaps might explain where the (until now totally unbelievable) Ben Currie rumour is coming from?

Re: Bateman interview : Thu Oct 26, 2017 2:09 pm  

We have replaced irreplacable players before. Bateman would be a loss but not the end of the world. There are plenty of second rowers out there who graft and score a lot more tries....... SOL on the other hand....