ENGLAND EXPECTS
Bateman urges bosses not to forget about the national team in their restart plans NEW RULES CONSIDERED BY RUGBY CHIEFS
JOHN BATEMAN has urged rugby league bosses to find a spot in the revamped season for England.
Three different restart plans will be discussed this week, with the Grand Final now earmarked for November, December or even next January.
But England and Great Britain star Bateman, who plays for Canberra Raiders in the NRL, says it is vital the national side is considered in the proposals.
The autumn Ashes series is set to be abandoned, meaning that England could go into next year’s World Cup undercooked.
Bateman said: “We do not want to be going into the unknown without having had any games or get-togethers.
“Shaun Wane (above) has come in as head coach, so it will be a different environment and the lads need to know what he wants.
“I would hope that, if there is a week or two available, we can get together as a squad and train and do bits and bats, even if we don’t have a game.
“I’m sure that the majority of the lads would be up for it, because next year is massive with a World Cup on home soil.
“We got to the World Cup final in 2017 and we need to do everything possible to go that one step further and win it next year.
“Playing in Australia just breathes more passion in my belly to go and win the World Cup in England.”
Bateman, 26, reacted angrily to recent reports that he has handed Canberra four transfer requests, following his stellar displays last season.
He said: “It has never happened and it’s a load of rubbish.
“But I have to try and have a laugh at it because otherwise my head would probably fall off.”
Canberra have admitted they would not be able to compete if a club comes in with a megabucks long-term deal for Bateman.
The former Wigan forward, whose current £320,000-a-year deal allows him to renegotiate annually, wants the security of a four-year deal.
Canberra are unlikely to be able to meet that demand, but Bateman said: “I, 100 per cent, want to stay here. “I have got half of England playing here with me – so it’s a home away from home.
“I am in the process of getting it sorted but there are still some hurdles. I am not in any rush – I know what my capabilities are and I trust my ability.”
Great Britain team-mates Josh Hodgson, Elliott Whitehead and George Williams, as well as former Wigan Warriors pal Ryan Sutton, are all at Canberra.