NRL 2023: John Bateman receives visa clearance to join Wests Tigers

John Bateman’s much anticipated NRL return is back on track, but the Wests Tigers may still not select the star for round one – we explain why.

John Bateman’s much anticipated move to the Tigers is being delayed by a routine police check. Picture: Getty Images.

Wests Tigers are optimistic that their long wait to see John Bateman may finally be over after the completion of his national police check.

There is now genuine hope that Bateman could be in Sydney as early as next week, although there are no guarantees he will be available for the club’s season opener.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens will wait until Bateman arrives in the country before determining whether he will be selected to take on the Gold Coast in round one on Sunday 5 March.

John Bateman, playing for England at the World Cup, has finally got clearance to come to Australia. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)

Bateman has been training on his own in England and watching Tigers’ training sessions on his computer in preparation for his return to the NRL.

Beauricratic red tape had held up his visa but the final impediment has now been removed after a federal police check gave him the green light to return to Australia.

The only question now is whether he will be fit enough to play against the Titans given he has missed the entire pre-season as well as both the club’s trial games.

The Tigers may opt to bring Bateman up to speed by playing him off the interchange bench in the early rounds.

Bateman was forced to join the Tigers’ season launch via Zoom while he remains stuck in the UK.

REVEALED: THE $42 POLICE CHECK WHICH DELAYED TIGERS STAR

John Bateman was forced to make a special appearance at the Wests Tigers season launch by zoom on Monday night as his return to Australia continues to be held up by a routine police check.

The Tigers and Bateman started the process of obtaining a visa months ago, at the time believing he would be free to take part in their pre-season.

However, they didn’t count on bureaucratic red tape slowing down the process, leaving him in danger of missing their opening premiership game against the Gold Coast in just over a fortnight.

It is understood the hold up relates to a standard $42 police check that is carried out by the Australian Federal Police on anyone who applies for a visa to enter the country.

John Bateman’s much anticipated move to the Tigers is being delayed by a routine police check. Picture: Getty Images.

Bateman and the Tigers believed it would be a fait accompli but the process has been painstakingly slow – a note on AFP website says the system is currently experiencing delays in processing due to a number of factors outside their control.

Bateman has become collateral damage and as a result, so have the Tigers’ hopes of making a fast start to the season. The English international has been training on his own in England and the Tigers have attempted to mitigate the damage by sending him video footage of their sessions to help ensure he remains up to speed.

However, sources at the club suggest he is no certainty to play in round one even if he is able to secure a visa in the next week or two.

It may be that he is used off the interchange bench in the opening rounds to help him acclimatise and get back up to speed with the NRL.

Bateman looked unperturbed as he appeared on the big screen at the Tigers’ launch this week, insisting he couldn’t wait to get back to Sydney and join forces with his new teammates.

“Just looking forward to getting over there,” Bateman said.

“I have waited a while now. Just looking forward to get over there and meeting the players, all the staff and all the fans.”

Meanwhile, Tigers freshly-minted captain Api Koroisau is set to be sidelined for the club’ s final trial this weekend as he deals with a calf injury.

Koroisau was christened as the Tigers new skipper on Monday night, having been voted into the role by the club’s football staff and his teammates.

“It is quite a special feeling,” Koroisau said.

“To be voted in by your peers really makes the whole world of difference. Just knowing these guys put their hand up to lead them is a pretty incredible feeling.”