Star Wests Tigers recruit John Bateman has missed precious pre-season coaching along with his new crew and will even miss the beginning of the season as a consequence of visa points.
The Sydney Morning Herald experiences Bateman is caught within the north of England and the Tigers are busy working behind the scenes to get the 29-year-old into the nation earlier than their Round 1 conflict on March 5.
Although Bateman had been in talks with the Tigers for months, he couldn’t apply for a visa till a contract was registered with the NRL, in accordance with the Herald.
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The Tigers introduced his four-year deal on Boxing Day however coach Tim Sheens confirmed to the Herald that the Christmas interval has delayed his software course of.
“There have been a couple of issues with the visa, and the government [departments] in both countries shut down over Christmas, so that slowed us down,” he stated.
“We’re not putting a date on when he’ll be here. We’ve got immigration people and experts trying to sort it out.
“It’s a bit unusual, but he’s also not coming on his own.
Bateman, who was granted an early release from Super League club Wigan, wasn’t officially due to training until early January given he represented England in the Rugby League World Cup.
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But he has missed at least two weeks of preparation due to the delays.
Sheens stressed that Bateman is being kept in the loop while waiting for his visa — and his newborn son’s — to be approved.
“He’s still doing plenty of weights and general fitness,” he stated.
“We’re sending him videos of our training sessions and plays, and I’m in constant touch with him — we’ll speak two or three times a week. He’s aware of everything we’re doing here.”
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The Tigers’ first trial is in Auckland towards the Warriors on February 9, nevertheless Sheens stated Bateman gained’t function in that sport.
The “aim” is to play their second trial towards the Raiders on February 19, however Sheens conceded: “We need to get him here first.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
