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When you read the report in the Observer how he risked losing the feeling in/use of a finger just to play in a World Cup Final.

John Bateman to miss start of Wigan Warriors’ season after finger surgery


John Bateman will miss the start of the new Super League season. The Wigan forward is recovering from surgery to a finger he injured during the World Cup.

He has been ruled out of the opening game at Salford on February 2 but is hoping to play in at least one of the fixtures in Australia. “We’ll see how it is,” he said. “Maybe I’ll be okay for the Hull game (on Feb 10) but, if not, hopefully the Souths game the week later.”

Bateman revealed he suffered the injury in the group win against Lebanon. He turned down the chance to fly home for surgery in order to stay and finish the World Cup - even though he thought it would mean losing all feeling in the finger.

The 24-year-old explained: “After the Lebanon game we had a discussion about whether I should come back home and get (the operation) done straight away, or stay there and finish the tournament. “I was told I had a three week window, or the ligament dies.

“But I thought the chance to play in a World Cup final may not come around again, so it was an easy decision to make. “And somehow, the ligament had survived so it worked out! “I was going to have the finger set with a slight bend in it. But when the surgeon went in, he said the ligament was still live, so all feeling should come back.”

Bateman, who is wearing a solid protective cover over his left hand, is making the most of his delayed start to action. “It gives me five or six weeks to have a good pre-season and start the season fresh,” he added. “The cover comes off in two weeks - I can’t wait, it’s doing my head in! - and I’m just getting as much training in as I can before I’m good to start.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... -1-8962617

Yes a looney! Can't say I blame him, a WC final doesn't come along that often and he makes a good point that the layoff which is only two weeks gives him a bit more general recovery time from the WC anyway.

ian.birchall wrote:When you read the report in the Observer how he risked losing the feeling in/use of a finger just to play in a World Cup Final.

Not a looney, a winner! It's called dedication to the cause, I'd do it in his position,for a once in a lifetime experience, you clearly wouldn't!!

Not advisable but I can't blame him. I did the same to play in a Ken Gee cup final and I lost the use of my finger permanently!

It’s another player injured though before the season starts,that’s the stark fact of it.

Would I do the same in that situation of course I would,you never know if you’ll get another chance so no I don’t blame him at all.

Ian, I pm'd you re John Atkinson

The only surprising thing about this thread is that nobody has blamed our medical team yet

Heck of a risk but he's going to be ok.
Glad for him.
Not a big name signing but one of the best we've made in recent times.

Seinfeld79 wrote:The only surprising thing about this thread is that nobody has blamed our medical team yet

Oh if it gets to April then we'll start