How BookTok sensation Luke Bateman hid love of fantasy novels from NRL teammates

How BookTok sensation Luke Bateman hid love of fantasy novels from NRL teammates

Luke Bateman, ex-NRL player, gains fame discussing white privilege and masculinity, valuing literature and fantasy.

The Daily Telegraph

Luke Bateman wasn't your typical NRL player, saying he used to hide his books in his kit bag on rugby league camps.

The 30-year-old former Canberra Raiders forward has exploded in popularity on social media within the past month and now finds himself at the centre of a global conversation around white privilege, masculinity and the publishing industry.

It's not a fate many saw coming for the former under-20s Queensland lock, who played 70 games for the Raiders between 2015 and 2018 before his career was cut short.

But a love for books and the fantasy genre, which was earned him...

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