Wigan Warriors star John Bateman makes future admission

John Bateman has become one of the greatest backrowers in Super League – if not world rugby league.

With the ability to more than damage those twice his size and weight, Bateman is likely to be a shoo-in for the World Cup at the end of 2022.

In doing so, the former Bradford Bulls youngster will rub shoulders against a number of ex-teammates from his days playing at the Canberra Raiders in 2019 and 2020.

During those two years, Bateman earned a reputation for himself as one of the toughest in the game, helping the Raiders to a Grand Final in 2019 as the second-rower scooped up the Dally M Medal for his position.

Being from Bradford, however, the 28-year-old continually gets asked whether or not he would ever return to Odsal.

“I have been asked this a few times and I do keep tabs on Bradford and still have a couple of mates that play there,” Bateman told Rugby League World.

“It’s tough because Bradford are in the Championship and I never see myself playing Championship rugby, but it’s one of those things.

“I’m at Wigan at the moment and don’t look ahead of being at Wigan, but you never know what’s going to happen.

“It was one of my proudest moments to start there and would be a proud moment to finish there. It has always held a special place in my heart.”