Dual international Lote Tuqiri has backed John Bateman to make an immediate impact, like he did, in his return to the NRL with Wests Tigers after arriving from England just days before the club’s opening match.
“I don’t know if he will score a try on his first touch, but I’m sure he will get the job done,” said Tuqiri, who joined Wests Tigers from Leicester rugby union club on the eve of the 2010 season.
Bateman, who previously played for Canberra, has finally received visa approval to travel to Australia and is expected to meet his new Wests Tigers team-mates later this week as they prepare for the Round 1 clash with the Titans on March 5.