John Bateman wants to follow in Sean O’Loughlin’s footsteps and become a No. 13

New Canberra recruit John Bateman insists he wants to stay in the forwards this year after learning from Sean O’Loughlin.

The 25-year-old played centre, back-row and loose forward during his final season at the Warriors.

Bateman played for England at centre during the 2017 World Cup and in the back-row for the 2018 Test series against New Zealand, but he insists he would prefer to remain in the pack.

“I’ve played a bit of centre throughout my career, but I like playing second-row, I like to be in the mix of everything,” he told NRL.com.

“Coming from Wigan I played with one of the best loose forwards in the world in Sean O’Loughlin.

“So, I watched him closely and how he did everything. I wanted to be just like him and I got to love that position [loose forward].

“I always want to learn so we’ll see where Ricky [Stuart] wants to put me. But I do love No. 13 or in the second-row.

“I’ve been training there and getting used to combinations in the left side, right side, and in the middle.”