I quite like Bateman. Hugely experienced. He has that strength that Steve Price described too.

Re Fitzgibbon quite a range of verdicts from 'done for the season' to '2 to 3 weeks'

Fitzgibbon was a guest on last weeks 5live podcast, he said injury wasn't as bad as first thought and will miss 3 weeks.

Bateman can be a liability off the field, and hasn’t been great the last couple of years. However, it’s only until the end of the season and he provides the sort of grit that Burgess is after.

The only thing I’m disappointed in with all these signings is that Burgess himself hasn’t signed up for longer. However, I’m already resigned to the fact that he’s NRL bound after next season. I really hope he can get us over the line before then..,

It’s an interesting one, obviously won a few GFs at Wigan and was ultra competitive but that drive seems to have gone.

Amazing at Wigan in 2014-2018
Amazing at Canberra in 2019
Injured at Canberra in 2020
Terrible at Wigan in 2021
Average at Wigan in 2022
Slightly above average at Wests in 2023
Terrible at Wests this year

Tigers fans want him gone this year judging from twitter.

But coming to England to a club going well and playing for fellow ex Bradford player Burgess will improve him.

My Wire supporting mates would prefer to play Holroyd though.

All chips are in to win that Grand Final.

I guess that's the crux of it - which version of Bateman will we see? I will reserve judgement for now, as I don't watch NRL so haven't seen him in a while, but I can only hope that he manages to provide something beneficial.

NRL Halfbacks in the last year of their contract:
- Anthony Milford (Dolphins)
- Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins)
- Thomas Weaver (Titans)
- Jamie Humphreys (Sea Eagles)
- Jake Clifford (Cowboys)
- Daejarn Asi (Eels)
- Jesse Marschke (Dragons)
- Dean Hawkins (Rabbitohs)
- Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
- Aidan Sezer (Tigers)

I think there's only 2 that would be classed as a "wow" signing that are off contract this season:
1) Shaun Johnson, but his kicking game has looked pretty stale this season and his run game is very clearly not what it used to be. I think based purely on his name alone, he still has enough clout to be considered a big signing.
2) Kodi Nikorima. He has been huge for the Dolphins since they joined the NRL and actually feels like a "wow" signing to me. He plays as the #6 but I don't think would struggle running a game. The Dolphins might also want to move on from him since he's 30, and they have Sean O'Sullivan on the roster who is 25 and is decent player himself. O'Sullivan is actually someone I'd love to sign. No concern about origin or International duty. Plus with his brother playing over here he's got some family in the north of England to make him feel more at home.

Of course, we could always just go ahead and sign someone with a few years left if the club wants to let them go. Adam Reynolds does make sense in that regard since he's 34, injury prone, and will cost the Broncos a good chunk of money.

Jahrome Hughes would actually be insane.

Rodrick Tai contract extension now confirmed: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-leagu ... 0yk9x0pywo

Rodrick Tai contract extension now confirmed: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-leagu ... 0yk9x0pywo

Great news about Tai. He has looked really solid in defence recently and looks like he has got that understanding with Williams and Nicholson on that edge and hopefully off the back of the defence the attack will improve.
It would be brilliant if we pull off the Bateman move. He is exactly what we need right now. Both Bateman and Currie have played centre and Back row plenty of times at international level so can cope with different positions if needed. It also gives us time to make sure we are not rushing back Crowther and Fitzgibbon. Also allows Yates to play as a Prop if required and with Harrison's ban that might be useful. It looks like the articles say he may be ready for the Hull KR game but would be pretty handy this Friday

Bateman - Not a fan I must admit, hopefully it's only a short term fill in for Fitzgibbon, coz I know who I'd prefer in our team.

He better not take Holroyd's spot...

That aged well.

Maybe we will play Bateman at centre, his signing sense if that is the case?

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... n-29594791 Over on Redvee they are always very interested in our salary cap. Maybe this will help

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... n-29594791 Over on Redvee they are always very interested in our salary cap. Maybe this will help

I'm guessing you're not going to make up 100% of Bateman's salary and Wests will continue to contribute

Rarely dull at Wire!!

On a simplistic 'know nowt' basis it would be a No from me re Bateman (would have loved to have had him from Bratfurd and thought it was in the bag at the time as he seemed to have a bit of a friendly 'to do' with Morley during a game at the HJ).

This is based on sticking with Holroyd, he deserves his place atm IMO and hoping that Fitzgibbon's injury isn't a season ender and we've just added Yates to the pack.

On the other hand as we are also currently short at Centre and he and Currie can operate there then why not?

I have also every confidence in Burgess to keep a grip of what is now clearly his team and getting a buy in from Bateman.