John Bateman is still adjusting to Australia’s hot temperatures

They were childhood mates in Bradford on the other side of the world and now Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman have been reunited in Canberra during a heatwave.

The Raiders’ new recruit has been living with his old friend Whitehead since arriving in Australia two and a half weeks ago.

Fronting media on Wednesday, 29-year-old Whitehead joked about the young Englishmen sleeping through the high temperatures in the nation’s capital, with the weather in Canberra reaching in to the low-to-mid 40s over the last week — a stark contrast to the freezing conditions of home.

“It’s only his second week in and he’s done a lot of sleeping, you know, he hasn’t done much cooking or cleaning anyway, I know that,” Whitehead joked.

“But yeah, he’s found his own place, but he’s moved just behind my backyard so it’s only a stone’s throw away.

“He’s training really hard and it’s only his second week in and he’s just going to keep improving as soon as he gets used to the heat a little bit more, he’ll be a lot better.”

Bateman inked a contract with Canberra midway through last year, securing the 25-year-old star a spot in the squad for the next three years.

From childhood mates to representing England together on the Test scene, Whitehead is sure Bateman can easily win over Raiders fans.

“I think you can know what to expect with John, he’s going to give 100 per cent every game, and he just loves to play,” Whitehead said.

“He don’t like to lose, and you know that’s what he’s going to give.

“He’s got that bit of a grubby side about him as well — he’s a tough kid; he’s from one of the roughest estates in Bradford, but he won’t mind me saying that.

“He’s a very talented player as well.”

Bateman had a stellar career in the English Super League, making his debut for the Bradford Bulls at the tender age of 17, and being bought by Wigan at the end of 2013. He made over 150 appearances in the competition as well as 15 appearances for the English Test side.

The versatile second-rower is one of several Englishmen secured by the green machine’s coach Ricky Stuart as he looks to strengthen Canberra’s pack.

With Whitehead, Josh Hodgson and Ryan Sutton in the playing group, the international found it a little easier to make the move down under. Although understanding his thick accent is difficult for his teammates.

“When I came there are more English here now than there are back home,” Bateman chuckled.

“I think that’s what I took into consideration actually moving here.

“It’s a massive move to the other side of the world, but when you don’t know anyone it makes it even harder, but obviously knowing Elliot (Whitehead), Sutty (Ryan Sutton) and Hodgey (Josh Hodgson) as well, it’s been really good for me.

“Elliot has helped me a lot to be fair, stuff like that, so it’s been good.”

Whitehead will be battling to keep his starting spot in the second row with Bateman’s arrival, as well as Joe Tapine, Josh Papalii and several emerging guns, but says Stuart has been tight-lipped on positions.

“Look I don’t know, and Stick (Ricky Stuart) hasn’t really spoke about that yet, he’s good for us, it makes us train harder and push for them spots,” he said.