JOHN BATEMAN has REJECTED a move to South Sydney Rabbitohs, with a move to NRL side North Queensland Cowboys now the most likely option.
Bateman’s future has been up in the air following a public fallout with Wests Tigers boss Benji Marshall earlier in the year, with the back-rower making a loan move to Warrington Wolves for the remainder of the 2024 Super League season.
That loan deal would not be made permanent, with Bateman keen on returning to Wests to fulfil the remainder of his four-year contract.
However, the Tigers have been keen to move on the 31-year-old, who still has two years left to run on his contract.
Wests, in their eagerness to get rid of Bateman, have been willing to pay over $300,000 of his $650,000 contract to move the back-rower on.
A move to the Manly Sea Eagles was previously touted, but they pulled out due to the focus on a younger squad, with The Daily Telegraph then revealing that Bateman was set to sign with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
However, the 31-year-old has rejected a move to Wayne Bennett’s side, with the Cowboys now his most likely destination as per News Corp.
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