Wigan's John Bateman excited by World Club Challenge chance
Wednesday 15 February 2017 11:13, UK
John Bateman concedes he is still coming to terms with having the opportunity to make history in the World Club Challenge with Wigan.
The Bradford-born back row forward grew up watching his heroes being crowned world champions, never daring to dream that he would one day get the chance to emulate them.
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But the England international has the chance to set a new benchmark with the Warriors, who are seeking a record fourth win in the annual clash of champions when they play Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at the DW Stadium, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 2.30pm on Sunday.
Bradford set the record with wins in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and it has been equalled by Leeds, Melbourne and Wigan themselves, whose last title was in 1994 when Bateman was just 12 months old.
"I watched them a few times," said Bateman. "I was a bit young for the first but I went to watch them when they played Penrith.
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"It will be weird because you never think you're going to play in one. It's stuff that dreams are made of."
Bateman made his Wigan debut in their 36-14 defeat by Sydney Roosters in the 2014 World Club Challenge in Sydney and was also in the side that went down to Brisbane in the expanded World Club Series in both 2015 and 2016.
The 23-year-old was forced to sit out Wigan's opening game of the Super League campaign at Salford on Saturday - a 26-16 victory - with back spasms, but is confident of being fit to face the Sharks.
"I've been training for a while and I've been doing weights this week," Bateman said.
"It was very frustrating at the weekend, you train all pre-season to play the first game and to miss out is rubbish. I'm looking forward to getting back.
"It's one of the biggest games of the season, to be crowned the best team in the world, that's what you play for, isn't it?
"They've got some decent players but so have we at the end of the day. They have a few players missing from last year but you can't underestimate them. They will be good."
