Warrington Wolves Secure John Bateman for Remainder of Super League Season
Warrington Wolves have landed a significant signing ahead of their top-of-the-table Super League clash against Hull KR on Friday, with John Bateman set to make his debut for the club.
The 30-year-old Great Britain and England international has joined Warrington on a deal until the end of the season, arriving from NRL side Wests Tigers. Bateman landed in England earlier this week and had his first full training session with his new teammates on Tuesday, ready to bolster the Wire’s push for silverware.
Describing the whirlwind move, Bateman revealed it all happened within a week. >*”Last Monday, Benji (Marshall, Tigers coach) pulled me in and said there was an opportunity to come over and play, and it just went from there.”*
The quick nature of the negotiations meant Bateman had to consider the impact on his family, as his partner and young son are currently in Australia.
Despite the swift turnaround, Bateman is eager to make an immediate impact at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. >*”For me, it was just more about the opportunity that presented itself. I know quite a lot of the boys here, I know Sam, and for me it was just about coming over, going out there and putting my best foot forward and taking this club to a place that it’s never been before and that’s winning Super League, so that’s a big part of what I want to do.”*
This marks the third time Bateman has been linked with a move to Warrington, and the two-time Super League champion is determined to make the most of this opportunity. >*”Funny you should say that, I had a meeting yesterday with a couple of the board members and Karl Fitzpatrick (Wolves CEO). I had a meeting with Simon Moran (Warrington owner) when I was 17, and it’s weird how things work themselves out and come back around.”*
Bateman’s friends and family will be eager to see him in action on Friday, though his own relatives have a pre-booked holiday during his debut. >*”I actually rang my mum the other day and said ‘what are you doing next Friday?’ so she said ‘why?’ and I said ‘hopefully I’ll be making my debut for Warrington’ and she came back with ‘well, we go on holiday on Thursday!'”*
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