Its a quiet time for news and raining like hell here so here are my thoughts on this thorny subject
I think the last post is a fair appraisal of what has happened but I also take on board the other points that have been raised here for it is certainly turning out to be a bit of a marmite issue as far as fans are concerned. The same of course will go for Clubs as well. Some who seem to have failed to change much their approach to audience building since the start of Super league will sit on their hands shake their heads and get their I told you so's ready for when it fails.
However, I would hope that others more forward thinking (like the two Hull Clubs try to be) will see it as an opportunity and although unable to invest at such levels themselves they will look to keep the momentum and hype this move has created going.
Like it or not, it’s a massive opportunity to kick start things for 2020, get some hype going and build the profile of the games top Division. I was never for the Toronto thing in the first place and still think that to have two teams outside the country of origin in a league of just 12 is ludicrous. However, they came in, won promotion fairly and squarely and so ethically they must take their place in Super League.
I think too that the Canadian Club realise that this is far more than a move to improve them on the field for they will never get their investment back, from ‘a banged up 34-year-old’.
But they have just the same signed probably one of the most iconic and recognisable players in the game and done it not just to raise their profile as a club, but also the profile of the game in North America, the sport of rugby League and the name of Super league worldwide. One Diary reader told me that his move had been featured in the media in Malaysia last week!!!
Their owner should be commended for that! Not bad for a bloke who has been told that he will not be getting any of his share of the Sky money and who will have to contribute to the costs of every teams travel to Canada next season (and no doubt have to put up a bond if he ever wants his team to enter the Challenge Cup). He doesn't seem to bare many grudges does he?
It’s not so much the signing that is significant now but how as a game we capitalise on the opportunity and exposure it presents. It’s the first big test of Elstone and Co’s ability to put their money where their mouth is and capitalise on such selling opportunities. But, will it ignite a change in the fortunes of the game, or just be another addition to the ever increasing dustbin of Rugby leagues missed opportunities???? That for me is down to how as a game we run with it and only time will tell on that one.
