LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a stunning turn of events, Wests Tigers backrower John Bateman found himself in a "blue" with coach Benji Marshall after the club's recent loss to Souths.
The heated exchange led to Bateman being loaned to Warrington in England, a move confirmed by coach Sam Burgess.
Bateman wasted no time and quickly jetted off to his home country to join the UK club.
With Bateman under contract until 2026, his temporary move to England will provide some relief to the struggling Tigers, saving them $150,000 in salary cap space.
Despite plans for him to return next season, reports suggest he may not don the NRL jersey again, especially not for the Tigers.
The decision to send him back to England was fueled by a public disagreement between player and coach, stemming from Bateman's disappointing performances over the past two years, a far cry from his standout year with the Raiders in the 2019 NRL Grand Final.
According to Fox Sports' James Hooper, the rift between Marshall and Bateman reached a boiling point after the recent match, where Bateman was called out for lackluster effort.
The 30-year-old didn't take the criticism lightly, pushing back against the coach's treatment of the senior players.
It seems like this showdown was the final straw in an ongoing clash between the two, leading to Bateman's unexpected departure to England.