John Bateman explains Wigan Warriors exit

John Bateman finally made his Wests Tigers on Sunday.

The former Wigan Warriors forward move out to Australia was delayed by visa problems and police checks.

His debut didn’t go quite the way he’d have wanted as the Tigers lost and he bombed a certain try.

Speaking on Fox League after the game, Bateman explained why he has made a return to the NRL.

“I wouldn’t say I got homesick because I don’t class it as home,” he said.

“I didn’t really watch it (the NRL) because I made the decision to leave because I didn’t see my family for 12 months. It was my decision to go back home to see my family because like anyone at the time, no one knew what was going on in the world.

“My family weren’t allowed to come back to Australia, so I had to make a decision.

“The opportunity for the Wests Tigers to bring me out here (motivated me) and I feel like I play my best rugby out here because the game probably suits me a little bit more.

“I just wanted to come back with the Wests Tigers because I liked what Sheensy was talking about with what he wanted to build. When you get here you realise how big the club is, and we need to go places.

“Sheensy and the backroom staff and what they do for the club, that’s what we want to do. We need to go places and we need to build on that.

“I wouldn’t say there’s pressure. Pressure comes with anything, but to me, it’s about enjoyment.”