I'm going back there: Bateman shuts down talk of Wests Tigers departure

England's John Bateman insists he is mystified by reports linking him with an early departure from Wests Tigers - but says he’s had minimal contact with the club since July and won’t be back to deal with the situation until after Christmas. 

Bateman has not been interviewed since reports he was at loggerheads with the joint venture’s coach Benji Marshall - followed in recent days by transfer speculation involving Manly - emerged during his guest stint with Sam Burgess’ Warrington.

But the 31-year-old spoke to NRL.com after training with England at Wigan’s Robin Park on Thursday, ahead of the Test against Samoa next door at the Brick Community Stadium this Sunday.

"Honestly mate, it’s news to me when it comes out,” Bateman said after signing autographs and posing for photos with dozens of schoolchildren.

“I’ve not spoke to anyone over there regarding the team and stuff like that; I’ve got two years left at Wests Tigers and I’m going back there.

“I’ve not even spoken to Wests Tigers since I left, to be fair. They just sent me a message saying [when] I’m due in.

“From there, I’m literally unsure about that stuff.”

Bateman was also asked about Wests Tigers’ CEO Shane Richardson’s comments that he needed to “want to be at the club for the crocodile roll that lies ahead. If he’s not comfortable with the club and the direction Benji is taking us, that is a decision for him".

Bateman said: "I don't know where that came from. It is what it is. Like I said, I'm going back there.

Whatever gets said and whatever goes on, that's been said. I'm looking forward to being back there

John Bateman

"So yeah, I'll be spending my time with my family but after Christmas I'll be back there."

Asked about suggestions Manly would take over his contract, Bateman said: "News to me. I'm not usually on Twitter and stuff like that. I don't follow any rugby league columns on Instagram so... I've had a few texts.

"I don't where it came from, I don't know who said it."

Bateman said he'd not thought about a return to Super League when his time in the NRL is up.

"I've got two more years at Wests Tigers - when it comes that time I'll go from there but until then I just want to enjoy every moment.

"When you get older it just gets faster and faster and you just want to enjoy every moment."

But the decorated back-rower-cum-centre made it clear he was not ready to wind down his international career, with the 2025 Ashes and 2026 World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea at the forefront of his mind.

"I'm getting a bit older now and you don't look too far ahead but there's a World Cup in, what, two years and hopefully a tour against Australia," he said.

"It's one step at a time but that is obviously an aim and a goal.

"I love playing for my country. I love being around them boys, I love coming into camp.

"It's where I've been born and bred. I'll always represent my country, even if they have to wheel me out on a wheelchair."

He said that while international rugby league was on a good footing, for England and Great Britain there was more work to be done to recapture past glories in terms of public appeal.

"The international stage, when I were younger, it was the likes of Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain playing each other and was fantastic.

"Now you chuck in Tonga and Samoa into that ... Fiji, Papua New Guinea ... we've got the teams there.

"It's just about growing it I think, making everyone on the same level as each other.

"They're getting behind the Pacific Tests. Do the same over here and have us playing each other as much as possible, even if you had to do it throughout the year and find a slot.

"There's so much growth there, so much potential."