rlBateman appears to be weighing up an NRL move.rl



Really hope we don't lose him, he's a quality player who never lets us down. Not really what you want to hear given the way the season ended and the fact he's got the toughest game of his life coming up on Friday. Is it too difficult to say to the papers "I'm contracted to Wigan, and focused on turning over the aussies on Friday, not touting myself to NRL clubs"?

Sounds to me like he has been tapped up and already has made his mind up. Apparently the same thing has happened with Walmsley but not sure he would go this year with a new born in the family.

Would be a huge blow losing him and Lockers at the same time, would require a massive replacement.

Goodbye and good luck. Massive loss but given the baggage and disruption perhaps we would be better using the cap space to bring in the talent that we need. I would not mind if Gelling (should he stay) was moved into second row, if we could improve the back line attack.

People often say that, but I think Gelling's high risk play is better suited to centre, where he will have the ball in good attacking positions. If we do lose Bateman, I'd be looking to add some size to the back row to offset Farrell and help out the props. Having a big centre is no bad thing either when you look at we are up against some weeks (Fanoa, Vatuvei, Carney etc)

He has a contract, and if he was to move to the NRL, I would expect a substantial transfer fee to be forthcoming.

Is anyone surprised about this? If I was in his shoes, I'd be thinking about the NRL too, especially after last season. Williams should have gone when he had the chance, not because I don't rate him, but because he could push on as a player over there.

Pretty sure he has a clause that he can move to the NRL(?), but we would need a fee as well.

Would be gutted if this is true, but perhaps might explain where the (until now totally unbelievable) Ben Currie rumour is coming from?

We have replaced irreplacable players before. Bateman would be a loss but not the end of the world. There are plenty of second rowers out there who graft and score a lot more tries....... SOL on the other hand....

Both at the same time on the other hand......

lockers just signed a 2 year contract?

He didn't. He signed a contract to finish his playing career at Wigan with no end date. Could hang his boots up after next season.

The policy of writing into contracts that players can move to the NRL, although well intentioned, needs reviewing.

That would be an excellent incentive for him to have moved to one of our competitors in the meantime. Being a stepping stone to the NRL is a good reason for top UK players to sign for Wigan.