Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:10 am  

The RFL have confirmed that Toronto Wolfpack will enter League One next season. Although this does not affect us directly. I think the whole scheme is bonkers and that the RFL would be better focused on what they have at the moment, instead of some fanciful scheme, carting part time players across the Atlantic. Just to be able to claim that they are the first Trans Atlantic Sport.
Had a nice trip to Niagara Falls Big Nige?

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:29 am  

Assume you don't approve then?

[brian2]

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 8:59 am  

It's an interesting deal. I assume/hope the RFL have looked seriously at the finances. Previous experience of expansion have been disappointing/disastorous, so I hope lessons have been learnt. In particular, what happens if Toronto are successful and are promoted. Have the RFL thought this through?

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:13 am  

No, not at all !
I absolutely love Toronto, been there many times. They love their sport, Ice Hockey and Baseball. Saw The Blue Jays at The Sky Dome, its was fantastic.
Will they embrace Rugby League. I doubt it. It is probably One Hundred years too late. Canada looks now to America for most things including sport.
I saw West Indies, With Viv Richards, playing The rest of the World at cricket in The Sky Dome, hardly any were Canadians watching.
They had hopes of getting cricket going as a major sport, it seems not to have happened.
I think Toronto Wolfpack, is a bridge too far.

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 9:41 am  

It makes you wonder how it can be sustainable, flights for both teams, accommodations, salaries, training camps.......

Good luck to them. Expansion hasn't worked to date sadly as we have experienced, I would argue due to the lack of vision and support of the parochial leadership of the RFL. If Woods and the RFL don't support it with marketing etc then it is doomed.

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 10:59 am  

Apparently all costs are going to be covered by Toronto for all the games played in Canada, they are going to play in the stadium that the national team play in, there fixtures have drawn reasonable crowds. Not sure if Toronto v Hemel will have same draw but hey who knows.
Obviously the owner thinks it's worth it.as you say it would be interesting if they progress and how long term finding would work. Every home game will be televised from day one and they have a decent coaching set up so taking it serious

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 11:39 am  

All I can say is. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. It will be interesting to see if it lasts longer than one season.

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 12:13 pm  

Every home game will be televised from day one and they have a decent coaching set up so taking it serious

The CEO said no TV deals had been agreed yet, so lets wait out on that one. I doubt Eddie will be nipping over he doesn't even go to France and sends poor Bill!!

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 4:34 pm  

Exiled down south wrote:

The CEO said no TV deals had been agreed yet, so lets wait out on that one. I doubt Eddie will be nipping over he doesn't even go to France and sends poor Bill!!

Im not sure Eddie has a pet passport.....

This time next year we could be playing Toulouse in the league, while Skolars are playing Toronto.

Re: Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:36 pm  

I really hope that this succeeds, because if RL in this country does not expand and attract a new audience it has no chance of halting the player drain to the NRL and the RFU.

I watched the press conference (thanks Premier Sports!) and the Mayor of Toronto said some thing that struck me. He was really looking forward to seeing the Wolfpack take on teams from London, Oxford, Gateshead, Wales and France. Not one mention of a heartlands team. This points to the conundrum that in this country, RL's greatest strength is also its biggest weakness.