2144superman
Kennel Legend
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2010
- Messages
- 10,353
- Reaction score
- 15,427
NRL Market Watch: John Bateman to ink three-year deal with Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers will unleash a formidable forward pack in 2023, with a superstar Englishman all but locking in his NRL return with the joint-venture.
David Riccio
The Wests Tigers are in the final stage of signing-off on a deal to bring English International John Bateman back to the NRL.
In a move that could finally drag the Wests Tigers out of the competition cellar, the 29-year-old is eyeing a three-year deal to join a new-look Tigers pack that will include premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau and Kiwi international Isaiah Papali'I.
On top of the recruitment of Koroisau, Papalii and almost certainly Bateman, the Tigers are also aiming to add both or either David Klemmer or Tyson Frizell from Newcastle to their pack for 2023.
Klemmer is the frontrunner to link with the Tigers - and his acquisition doesn’t require losing halfback Luke Brooks.
The forward pack overhaul could prove defining for the Wests Tigers, who already boast key forwards Stefano Utoikamano, Joe Ofehengaue, Alex Twal and promising prop Fonua Pole.
John Bateman is set to join Wests Tigers next in 2023.
In order to sign Bateman, Wests Tigers senior management have agreed to paying the key forward’s English club, Wigan, a transfer fee, as he still has two years remaining on his Super League contract.
The figure believed to be around $250,000 AUD is paid directly from club to club and would sit outside the Tigers salary cap.
The 29-year-old would return to the NRL with a glowing reputation in the eyes of fans after two quality seasons in the NRL (2019-2020) with Canberra.
Bateman helped transform the Raiders in 2019 with his powerful running game and defensive nous earning him the 2019 Dally M second-rower of the year award.
The recruitment of Bateman has been led by head coach Tim Sheens, who believes the no-nonsense forward will instil genuine steel and leadership to the Tigers.
The Tigers will sign-off on the deal in the coming days.
Wests Tigers will unleash a formidable forward pack in 2023, with a superstar Englishman all but locking in his NRL return with the joint-venture.
David Riccio
The Wests Tigers are in the final stage of signing-off on a deal to bring English International John Bateman back to the NRL.
In a move that could finally drag the Wests Tigers out of the competition cellar, the 29-year-old is eyeing a three-year deal to join a new-look Tigers pack that will include premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau and Kiwi international Isaiah Papali'I.
On top of the recruitment of Koroisau, Papalii and almost certainly Bateman, the Tigers are also aiming to add both or either David Klemmer or Tyson Frizell from Newcastle to their pack for 2023.
Klemmer is the frontrunner to link with the Tigers - and his acquisition doesn’t require losing halfback Luke Brooks.
The forward pack overhaul could prove defining for the Wests Tigers, who already boast key forwards Stefano Utoikamano, Joe Ofehengaue, Alex Twal and promising prop Fonua Pole.
John Bateman is set to join Wests Tigers next in 2023.
In order to sign Bateman, Wests Tigers senior management have agreed to paying the key forward’s English club, Wigan, a transfer fee, as he still has two years remaining on his Super League contract.
The figure believed to be around $250,000 AUD is paid directly from club to club and would sit outside the Tigers salary cap.
The 29-year-old would return to the NRL with a glowing reputation in the eyes of fans after two quality seasons in the NRL (2019-2020) with Canberra.
Bateman helped transform the Raiders in 2019 with his powerful running game and defensive nous earning him the 2019 Dally M second-rower of the year award.
The recruitment of Bateman has been led by head coach Tim Sheens, who believes the no-nonsense forward will instil genuine steel and leadership to the Tigers.
The Tigers will sign-off on the deal in the coming days.