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SuperCoach mystery surrounds English invaders in 2019 season

Every SuperCoach season we’re enticed by a new batch of English stars heading south with high reputations. Here’s how the 2019 crop of imports are shaping up.

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Every SuperCoach season we’re enticed by a new batch of English stars heading south with high reputations.

Regardless of UK form, the mystery surrounding the fresh faces makes them a massive Round 1 gamble.

As a general rule, English forwards tend to have greater success in the NRL which translates to SuperCoach points.

What impact will the English invaders have on SuperCoach?
What impact will the English invaders have on SuperCoach?

Sam Burgess, Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead are among the recent stars to have made the successful transition.

Despite their UK dominance, backline players have a tendency to struggle in the NRL.

Sam Tomkins headlines a list containing elite Super League flyers Zak Hardaker, Joe Burgess, Greg Eden and Dan Sarginson.

Here’s how the 2019 crop of English invaders are shaping up:

John Bateman looms as a strong SuperCoach purchase. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
John Bateman looms as a strong SuperCoach purchase. (Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)

John Bateman, 2RF/CTW, ($400,000)

The most enticing prospect is Canberra Raiders recruit John Bateman.

The former Wigan utility was one of three men shortlisted for the Man of Steel award last season, while he was also nominated for the Golden Boot as the world’s best player.

Primarily a back-rower, Bateman is just as proficient playing in the middle or at centre.

His stats from 2018 are appealing to say the least.

Across 27 games, Bateman averaged 23 tackles, 16.4 runs, 2.4 offloads and 4.4 tackle breaks.

Factor in his ability to amass attacking stats and we’ve got what appears, at least on paper, to be a SuperCoach star.

Bateman produced strong stats in his time with Wigan. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Bateman produced strong stats in his time with Wigan. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

But what minutes will Bateman command in a stacked Raiders pack?

He’ll likely start on either an edge or at lock, but he’s among a forward unit including Josh Papalii, Sia Soliola, Elliott Whitehead and Joe Tapine.

If Bateman plays 50+ minutes, which is a reasonably safe assumption, he looms as a terrific buy.

If he plays 60+, or potentially 80 minutes, he’ll be a must-have for every side to start the year with keeper potential.

Furthermore, Bateman’s $400k price tag equates to an average of approximately 40 points per game.

Verdict: Buy

Canberra signing Ryan Sutton will be relevant with increased minutes. Picture: Canberra Raiders
Canberra signing Ryan Sutton will be relevant with increased minutes. Picture: Canberra Raiders

Ryan Sutton, FRF, ($320,000)

Fellow Raiders recruit Ryan Sutton has a strong work ethic, but will likely start as a reserve in the nation’s capital.

Rightly so, he’s almost $100k cheaper than his fellow countrymen, equating to an average of approximately 34 points.

The lightweight front-rower has the engine to play big minutes in the middle of the park.

In 24 games for Wigan last season, Sutton averaged 26 tackles and 13.1 runs.

Unfortunately, key SuperCoach categories of tackle breaks and offloads aren’t key components of his game.

If Sutton starts there’s merit in the buy, but he looms as more of a wait and watch prospect.

Should form warrant or injuries strike, Sutton could command decent minutes in which case he’d be a great cash cow.

Verdict: Wait

Ryan Hall could figure if given a crack on the Roosters wing. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Ryan Hall could figure if given a crack on the Roosters wing. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Ryan Hall, CTW, ($316,000)

For obvious reasons, English great Ryan Hall shouldn’t be in any teams to begin the season.

However he could become a major factor later in the year.

The Sydney Roosters recruit ruptured his ACL while playing for Leeds in August and as a result will miss the beginning of the season.

Regardless, he’d have started his campaign playing for feeder club North Sydney with Daniel Tupou and Brett Morris to fill the wing spots.

Should Hall eventually receive an NRL call-up, there is upside to the potential cash cow.

Priced around a 34 point average, you’d back the prolific try scorer to cross the line on the end of a superstar backline.

In 20 appearances last season, Hall scored nine tries, had 18 linebreaks, averaged 16.3 runs, 3.9 tackle breaks and 1.1 offloads.

Verdict: Pass

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/supercoach-news/english-invaders-cause-supercoach-intrigue-ahead-of-2019-season/news-story/6a66b76fc7022d06027d15cabd37ba72