BATEMAN IS COY ON AUSSIE MOVE
Wigan ace says focus for now is on England
ENGLAND star John Bateman has refused to discuss reports linking him with an NRL return, insisting that for now he is only bothered about the World Cup.
It has been claimed 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 the Canberra Raiders and picked up the 2019 Dally M Second Row award while helping them reach the NRL Grand Final.
He returned to Wigan at the end of the following season for family reasons but is now thought to be contemplating another move.
Bateman has another two years left on his club deal, meaning Wests would have to fork out a transfer fee.
But asked about the reports ahead of Saturday’s quarterfinal with Papua New Guinea at Wigan, he said: “I’m pretty sure I’m here to talk about England.
“I’ll talk to you about that [speculation] after the World Cup. I want to focus on the World Cup.”
England coach Shaun Wane, meanwhile, has not announced his side yet for the crunch clash.
But he has told his squad what the team will be and it contains a “couple” of changes to the side that thrashed Samoa 60-6 in their opener.
One of those will be Bateman, who was banned for that game but featured in the wins over France and Greece.
Wane also had a conundrum over which winger to pick – Tommy Makinson or Ryan Hall.
He said: “It’s not been easy – I’m leaving people out who never get left out.
“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 added that captain Sam Tomkins and centre Kallum Watkins, who sat out last Saturday’s 94-4 rout of Greece, were 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 said: “They run hard, they’re a tough nation and defend like their lives depend on it. “I don’t care if we’re favourites – I know it’s going to be full on.”