Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
The Wests Tigers are in the final stages of signing-off on a deal to bring English International John Bateman back to the NRL.
In a move that could finally drag the Wests Tigers out of the competition cellar, the 29-year-old is eyeing a three-year deal to join a new-look Tigers pack that will include premiership-winning hooker Api Koroisau and Kiwi international Isaiah Papali’I.
On top of the recruitment of Koroisau, Papalii and almost certainly Bateman, the Tigers are also aiming to add either David Klemmer or Tyson Frizell from Newcastle to their pack for 2023.
Klemmer is the frontrunner to link with the Tigers – and his acquisition doesn’t require losing halfback Luke Brooks.
The forward pack overhaul could prove defining for the Wests Tigers, who already boast key forwards Stefano Utoikamano, Joe Ofehengaue, Alex Twal and promising prop Fonua Pole.
In order to sign Bateman, Wests Tigers senior management are comfortable with paying the key forward’s English club, Wigan, a transfer fee, as he still has two years remaining on his Super League contract.
The figure believed to be around $250,000 AUD is paid directly from club to club and would sit outside the Tigers salary cap.
The 29-year-old would return to the NRL with a glowing reputation in the eyes of fans after two quality seasons in the NRL (2019-2020) with Canberra. ateman helped transform the Raiders in 2019 with his powerful running game and defensive nous earning him the 2019 Dally M second-rower of the year award.
The recruitment of Bateman has been led by head coach Tim Sheens, who believes the no-nonsense forward will instil genuine steel and leadership to the Tigers.
The Tigers are hoping to sign-off on the deal in the coming days. MANSOUR COZYING UP TO ROOSTERS’ KING – Brent Read Lebanon winger Josh Mansour has batted his eyelids at the Sydney Roosters after admitting he was shocked and disappointed at how his year played out at their bitter rivals, South Sydney. Mansour officially became a free agent on November 1, meaning he is without a deal for the first time in more than a decade as he prepares to take on the Kangaroos and former teammate Latrell Mitchell in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The 32-year-old Mansour put his future on the backburner to concentrate on the Cedars’ campaign, which will reach a crescendo In Leeds on Saturday morning (AEDT) against the defending champions.
Lebanon coach Michael Cheika’s assistants at the World Cup include Roosters assistant Matt King and Mansour admits he would find it hard to say no if they came knocking.
“I have already chirped into his (King’s) ear,” Mansour said. “The Sydney Roosters are a great club. If an opportunity arose, I would definitely explore it.” He has been a pivotal figure in their World Cup thus far, giving his hopes of securing a new contract a boost by starring on the wing for the rugby league minnows.
“At the beginning of the year I didn’t have that plan – I didn’t see it coming,” Mansour said of his season – he only played five games in first grade this season. It really shocked me the way the year went but I just had to swallow my pride and ride out the year. I just tried to be as professional as I could and come with a good attitude to training every time.
