Former Warrington Wolves and St Helens man signs with Championship club upon UK return

Wesley Bruines has made a return to the UK with Championship side Batley Bulldogs in the hope to find more playing time to continue his rugby league career.

A Wakefield Trinity academy product, Bruines has been around a fair few major clubs in what is still a relatively short time in the professional game.

Signing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs as an U18s player, he came through at the NRL-based setup before moving home to England in November 2022.

He joined St Helens on a one-year deal, but never managed to make a first-team appearance for the Red Vee. Loan spells during his time at the Saints count for his only senior appearances in the UK, after featuring for North Wales Crusaders and Swinton Lions a combined nine times.

Ahead of 2024, he joined Warrington Wolves, linking up with Sam Burgess, one of Bruines’ former coaches during his time at the Rabbitohs. However, injuries in Primrose and Blue meant his chance for a Super League debut was never possible, and he left the club at the end of that year to return to Australia.

More recently, he represented Western Clydesdales, a Queensland Cup side who finished bottom of the ladder in their season just gone. Bruines will be hoping this new chapter at Batley will be the start of some regular first team action, and that he can build and develop into a player that was highly-rated as a youngster.

Former St Helens and Warrington man joins Batley Bulldogs

Batley, who will be under the tutelage of a new coach new year in James Ford, have already announced that club stalwart Alastair Leak has penned a new one-year deal, whilst agreeing for hooker Brandon Moore to leave the club to join Midlands Hurricanes.

Ford, who is an ex-York Knights and Featherstone Rovers boss, spoke on his new and exciting signing, and how he hopes this move can be a turning point in what has been an injury-troubled career.

He said: “[I am] Delighted to be able to sign such a young and athletic three-quarter in Wes.

“His potential is very high and all his former clubs have reinforced just what a talent he could be. We are all looking forward to working with him and helping Wes fulfil that potential.”

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We are delighted to announce the capture of exciting young outside-back, Wesley Bruines. A versatile talent, Bruines can feature at both centre and wing, adding important depth to Ford’s Squad.

​Wesley joins the club with high potential, having joined Wakefield in 2020 before… pic.twitter.com/G0qgH19V4d

— Batley Bulldogs RLFC (@BatleyRLFC) October 23, 2025