Just saw that he has been banned again and that he won't be back until June which got me thinking about later in the year when the academy tour Australia. I know the dates are somewhere between late July somewhere around the 24th and they return around mid August like the 16th. With that in mind what are the views and the rules of Bateman going as from what i know only Bateman is playing Superleague regularly or even at all from the potential squad. Who has the choice as to whether he goes is it himself the club or the RFL? I can't see the RFL being too keen on their captain and star player dropping out of the tour. Personally if i was Bateman even though im playing Superleague i would jump at the chance to jump on a plane to Australia for a month to test myself against their best juniors and have a bit of fun whilst im out there as well. Just wondering if anyone knew anything on this issue and general opinions.

Good post,
I certainly hope Bateman chooses to come out to Australia with the England Academy team, i too think it would be great for his development and the two games playing against the Australian Schoolboys will an amazing experience.
From a personal point of view, an England back row of Stevie Ward, Ben Currie & John Bateman could be one of the best ever at that level so i would look forward to seeing them play.

Would imagine playing in SL against SL opposition would be of far more benefit to Bateman than playing against school boys. Can't see the Bulls letting him go for this, unless he wants to.

I agree with this.

Me 2

I was under the impression stevie ward was a 6?

I seem to rememeber that in the past players who have been getting regular first team action have not been considered, alhough maybe he needs to play a certain amount of games in order for this to come up and 5 games suspended, not in challenge cup, bearing in mind he missed about two earlier in year with the elbow problem could the rfl be trying to force their hand with the harsh ban?
Also if he is classed as eligible for U20's and U18's should he be allowed to class one of their games as a ban or can he play as they did take his junior career into account earlier on in the year?