NRL transfer news: John Bateman set for immediate move to Super League, Broncos star Tristan Sailor signs with St Helens

John Bateman has played his last game for the Wests Tigers this season, with the English back-rower set for an immediate move back to the Super League — but it comes with a twist.

John Bateman is Super League bound - but just for the rest of the season with the Englishman set to return to the Wests Tigers to play out the rest of his two year deal.

Bateman has played his final game of the season after the Tigers granted the veteran back-rower permission to return to England to finish the season.

The deal is expected to save the Tigers more than $100,000 in salary cap space for the rest of the season before Bateman returns in 2025. He is on a deal worth about $670,000 a season.

He told his Tigers teammates of his impending switch at Concord on Tuesday but was largely a spectator while the rest of the squad took part in a training session before they travel to New Zealand where they will play the Warriors. Bateman will also be on a plane bound for the UK where he will link up with the Sam Burgess coached Warrington team.

Burgess and Bateman are former England teammates with Burgess captaining Bateman as part of England’s 6-0 World Cup final loss to Australia in 2017.

Warrington are in the hunt for a premiership in Burgess’ first season in charge. He will play alongside former NRL players George Williams, Matt Dufty, Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Paul Vaughan.

John Bateman has played his last game for the Wests Tigers in 2024. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

There has been speculation surrounding Bateman’s future for the past few months with reports linking him with a full-blown return to England. Tigers officials are adamant the move is just for the rest of the season. However, returning to England and impressing his new club may open the doors for a longer-stint.

Bateman, 30, has had two successful stints with Wigan in between playing in the NRL. He spent two seasons at Canberra between 2019-20 before joining the Tigers last year on a four-year deal.

His form this year has been patchy in a struggling Tigers out-fit. The Tigers will be without fellow experienced players Adam Doueihi (load management) and David Klemmer (ankle) for their clash against the Warriors.

-Michael Carayannis, Fatima Kdouh

BRONCOS DUO SET FOR SUPER LEAGUE SWITCH

Super League powerhouse St Helens has raided Red Hill after signing Broncos fullback Tristan Sailor and assistant coach Lee Briers.

Sailor will depart Brisbane at the end of this season to take up a lucrative contract with the English league heavyweight.

Sailor, 26, was contracted to the Broncos until the end of next year, but the club has agreed to release him from the final season of his deal.

The release is currently being finalised and is expected to be formally announced in the coming days.

The son of Broncos legend Wendell Sailor, Tristan has been a handy back-up for Maroons star Reece Walsh at fullback since making his debut for Brisbane during last year’s Origin series.

He has played 12 NRL games for the Broncos across the past two seasons and excelled in many of those appearances.

Tristan Sailor has signed with St Helens for the 2025 season. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Broncos were keen to retain Sailor, however he is no longer prepared to play the role of a reserve behind Walsh and wants to see regular first grade action.

That will come in the Super League, with St Helens beating Hull FC for the signature of Sailor.

Sailor isn’t the only Bronco heading to St Helens next year, with Walters’ attacking coach also expected to join the club.

After two seasons at Red Hill, Briers has been tipped to return to England and his hometown club as doubt hovers around the future of their head coach Paul Wellens.

“It’s been a really tough decision to head back home but firstly I want to thank Kev and the Broncos for giving me this opportunity,” Briers said.

“It’s not often that you get an English coach coming over and plying his trade in the NRL, so massive thanks to Kev and (CEO) Dave (Donaghy) and the club for taking a chance on me.

“I’m sad to be going but our family had to deal with some loss last year and the time is right now to go back home. We still have our daughter living in the UK and we do miss her, so the time is right to go back.”

Broncos assistant Lee Briers will be joining Sailor at St Helens. Picture: Adam Head

Walters is currently canvassing prospective new assistant coaches given right-hand man John Cartwright has taken up the head coaching role at Hull FC from next year.

Walters said Briers had made an impact on the club, having helped lead the Broncos to last year’s NRL grand final.

“We brought Lee here to the club because he has a great football brain and he knows what it takes to be part of a winning team,” he said.

“He has bought into what we are building here at the Broncos and played a really important role as a leader and mentor over the past few seasons.

“Lee and his family have also taken the opportunity to experience the Queensland lifestyle and enjoy what our state has to offer. He has a great attitude and is always fun to be around, with a list of good stories as long as your arm.

“We are looking forward to some more success with Lee over the next few months before he departs, and he will always be welcomed back here at the Broncos.”

-Travis Meyn

Originally published as NRL transfer news: John Bateman set for immediate move to Super League, Broncos star Tristan Sailor signs with St Helens