Wigan's John Bateman to reach Super League milestone in St Helens clash
Last Updated: 22/07/16 11:29pm
John Bateman will bring up a century of Super League appearances in Wigan's derby against St Helens on Friday, live on Sky Sports 3.
The England international reached 99 appearances in the win at Castleford two months ago but has had a spell on the sidelines after being handed an eight-week ban and a £10,000 fine for an incident with a team-mate after a trip to Haydock races.
The incident, which left a gym in Wigan town centre damaged, sparked speculation that Bateman's career at the DW Stadium could be coming to an end but he resumed training last month. Coach Shaun Wane confirmed on Thursday that the 23-year-old will make his return in the derby match against Saints on Friday evening.
"He's trained for many weeks now and he's fit and raring to go," Wane said.
Bateman was among the group of 31 Super League-based players who attended a meeting with England coach Wayne Bennett during his suspension and now has a chance to play himself into contention ahead of the Four Nations Series in October.
Wigan will, however, be without the services of suspended duo of Josh Charnley and Taulima Tautai for the match but are boosted by the return of skipper Sean O'Loughlin after his one match ban.
Former New Zealand prop Frank Paul Nuuausala, who rejected an offer from St Helens, will make his home debut for the Warriors as they look to finish the regular season on a high.
"It will be good to introduce Frank to a Wigan and Saints derby," said Wane. "He thought the atmosphere at Leeds was fantastic but he'll not have had one like this before, even in Test matches.
"He's a while off his best because he's not played for many months but when he's good he'll be very good."
The biggest crowd of the Super League season is expected at the DW Stadium for the visit of St Helens, who are aiming for a fifth successive win after finding their best form of an inconsistent campaign.
"It's our most important game of the season," Wane said. "St Helens are playing with a lot more confidence now.
"Like Leeds, I knew they'd come good. They've too many good players not to.
"There's a lot of feeling, a lot of respect. It'll be the biggest crowd of the SL season so we can't wait now."
The match will provide Saints, who name an unchanged squad for the clash, with the chance to leapfrog fast-fading Catalans Dragons into fourth spot, ahead of the French side's trip to Widnes on Sunday, and coach Keiron Cunningham is hoping they can maintain their momentum against their arch-rivals.
"These are always big games and, because we have come off the back of some good wins, it means a little more to us to get over the finish line on Friday night," he said. "There isn't any extra motivation needed for these games, it
is an eagerly-anticipated match.
"All we can do is take care of ourselves. We can't influence the variables away from our games. The boys are working hard and getting the rewards they deserve.
"The players are working as hard now as they did back then. Sometimes things just click and as the confidence amongst the group gets better passes stick and the attack looks more clinical. The old adage that you make your own luck is true and we have found a little bit of that along the way."
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Dom Crosby, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Jack Higginson, Willie Isa, Dom Manfredi, Lee Mossop, Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Jake Shorrocks, Matty Smith, Kyle Shelford, Ryan Sutton, Lewis Tierney, Sam Tomkins, George Williams.
St Helens: Jonny Lomax, Jordan Turner, Mark Percival, Adam Swift, Luke Walsh, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Kyle Amor, Atelea Vea, Jon Wilkin, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Lama Tasi, Greg Richards, Luke Thompson, Joe Greenwood, Jack Owens, Shannon McDonnell, Matty Fleming, Morgan Knowles.
Watch Wigan v St Helens live on Sky Sports 3 HD on Friday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
