Benji Marshall delivered a short and cagey response when he was quizzed about John Bateman and his Wests Tigers exit today. The back-rower’s move from the Tigers to Warrington Wolves was confirmed on Friday morning while the NRL side were in action against New Zealand Warriors.
John Bateman has struggled for form in a side that has underwhelmed under Marshall and remains rooted to the foot of the NRL table. However, while he still has two years left to run on his Wests contract, the short-term move comes amid reports of a disagreement with the head coach.
As such, Marshall was asked about the 30-year-old’s departure after the game by reporters.
“I don’t really know what happened, I was focusing on the game,” Marshall said when he was initially asked for his thoughts on the move. “But whatever was put out, that’s probably it.”
Pushed on whether he knew the move would be released during the game, he added: “No, I just got told, so all good. That’s not my job.”
That statement from the Tigers read: “Wests Tigers forward John Bateman has been released from his playing contract to join English Super League club Warrington Wolves for the remainder of the 2024 season.
“John is contracted to Wests Tigers for the 2025/2026 seasons.
“Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson commented: “John leaving Wests Tigers for the back end of the season is something that all parties are comfortable with.”
Whether the plan is for Bateman to return to the Tigers or not come the end of the season, he will be entirely focused on Warrington for the remainder of the campaign. The 30-year-old looks set to make a debut under Sam Burgess next week against Hull KR and with eight games to go in the Super League season, he’ll be determined to help Warrington get their hands on the Grand Final trophy for the very first time.
