Star Wests Tigers recruit John Bateman could miss the start of the season due to visa issues as the club scrambles to get the English forward up to speed with preseason training programs.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports Bateman is still in northern England as the Tigers try to pull strings behind the scenes to get the 29-year-old into the country before their round one clash on March 5.
The Tigers’ first trial is in Auckland against the Warriors on February 9, however Bateman won’t feature in that game, with his new club aiming to have him in the side to play their second preseason game against the Raiders on February 19.
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Bateman couldn’t apply for a visa until a contract was registered and since the Tigers announced his four-year deal on Boxing Day, the Christmas period has delayed his application process.
“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,” coach Tim Sheens said.
“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.”
After securing an early release from Super League club Wigan, Bateman wasn’t officially due to attend training until early January since he played in the Rugby League World Cup late last year.
The delay has resulted in the international missing two weeks of training but Sheens said the club has been in regular contact with him.
“He’s still doing plenty of weights and general fitness,” he said.
“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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