Date for NRL return welcomed by recovering Canberra Raiders’ star John Bateman

BRING IT BACK: John Bateman celebrates scoring a try during the NRL Qualifying Final match for Canberra Raiders and Melbourne Storm in September last year. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images | 2019 Getty Images

Canberra Raiders star John Bateman says news the NRL hopes to resume on May 28 has brought relief for players.

Australia’s premier competition yesterday declared it plans to start up later next month if coronavirus restrictions are eased.

The NRL was halted after just two rounds of the new season in March amid fears the pandemic could shut it for most of the year.

However, the NRL’s innovations committee and the Australian Rugby League Commission have met and decided games could be back in just seven weeks.

BIG GAME: NRL bosses are determined to ensure their showpiece Grand Final goes ahead later this year. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images. | 2019 Getty Images

They have also stated they plan for the State of Origin series to go ahead and the Grand Final to continue in Sydney. Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, England second-row Bateman – who started his career with hometown club Bradford Bulls – said: “Getting that date is important. As players, that’s probably what we’ve struggled to get our heads around – not knowing when we will be back.

“There’s a date there now and obviously there’s a lot more things to be fine-tuned beforehand, but it’s good to have something to aim for.”

Bateman, 26 had been due to return from off-season shoulder surgery shortly and being fit for that May slot is now his ideal.

But he added: “It’s taken a bit of a dent at the moment obviously with me not being able to train and do my proper rehab stuff (in isolation). I’ll have to see how it feels nearer the time.

“If it’s good, it’s good. Even though I’ve been able to do some rehab stuff it has probably put me another week or two behind.”

ARL Commissioner Wayne Pearce said: “Today what we landed on was a starting date. We haven’t finalised what that (competition) looks like yet.

“Why we want to firm up a date is to give certainty to players and their schedules, clubs and thousands of people out of work through clubs and millions of fans. It’s a mark for everyone to work towards.”

ARL chairman Peter V’landys added: “There is clear evidence the curve is flattening. The NSW Government has done a great job reducing the infection rate from 22.27% when we suspended the comp’ to 1.43% today. We will be flexible, and if the trend changes or if government restrictions change then so will we.”