Toronto Gear Up For Stage Two

Toronto Gear Up For Stage Two
20:00, 16 Dec 2017

The Toronto Wolfpack are getting ready for their second season as their target of Super League promotion ramps up.

For Rugby League’s darlings of 2017, now is where the real business begins for the Canadian club. As expected Toronto blitzed through League 1 like a Panzer across France. Crowds were impressive, the branding was high, promotion was through the roof and media interest excessive. Their debut campaign went off largely without a hitch.

But that was against semi-professionals, part-timers. Now the fun begins. The Wolfpack enter an increasingly competitive Championship against several experienced full-time outfits. The goal? A top four finish and then promotion through the Middle Eights. It won’t be easy with the likes of a cashed-up Featherstone, London, Toulouse, a relegated Leigh and Halifax standing in their way, and then four Super League sides.

Toronto coach Paul Rowley is expecting a season against strong opposition.

“We’re one of a number of full-time teams so we’ll be getting the best Championship to date,” he said.

“There will be six or seven teams who want a top four spot and expect a top four spot, which is probably the interesting ingredient. The inclusion of Super League and NRL-quality [players] that is kind of filtering down now. The top of the Championship now is becoming a lot more professional place and it’s packed with clubs with ambition desperate to reach that elite level.”

To prepare for the step up in quality the Wolfpack have again recruited well. Ten new players have been brought in and six have departed. Headlining the new arrivals are NRL players David Taylor and Josh McCrone, Warrington forwards Joe Westerman and Ashton Sims, Widnes centre Tom Armstrong, Salford prop Olsi Krasniqi along with Leigh trio Cory Paterson, Sam Hopkins and Adam Higson.

It’s an enviable line-up that should guarantee a top four placing. Toronto also have a coup in being invited to play Toulouse at the 2018 Magic Weekend in Newcastle, which will be the first time a Championship club has participated. The two-day event, an action-packed Super League extravaganza, will have a touch of the Wolfpack.


“I think its brilliant that the RFL has invited us,” Rowley said.

“It shows a real commitment from the sport to embrace the expansion teams. I’m looking forward to being at the Magic Weekend. It’s getting our brand out there. The world’s eyes are on the Magic Weekend. It’s just another record, another ground-breaking feat from Toronto Wolfpack. We’ve got a habit of doing that and long may it continue.”

Toronto has its fair share of fans, but it also its fair share of detractors too. Some are unhappy with their involvement in Magic Weekend, others with their being allowed to play home games in a series of blocks. There remains a wedge in the rugby league family between those advocating expansion and those backing the heartland areas. The Wolfpack’s emergence, and their growing profile, has made some envious.

Rowley cares little for jealous rivals and sees Toronto’s arrival, and the growth of rugby league in Canada, as positive for the wider good of the sport.

“If we always try and please the minority then nothing’s ever going to move forward,” he said.

“So you’ve got be bold and brave and take steps forward and progression. We upset some people along the way at times and that’s just tough. As far as preferential goes, any business, any history can be littered with preferential treatment. I guess it’s how you view it.

“Is it preferential, or is it a step in the right direction, because ultimately every team benefit from expansion. Every team will benefit from exposure because with exposure and expansion comes investment and money and everybody on all levels, from grassroots to elites, will benefit in the long run. The big picture’s key.”

x
Suggested Searches:
The Sportsman
Manchester United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Premier League
Sportsman HQ
72-76 Cross St
Manchester M2 4JG
We will not ask you to provide any personal information when using The Sportsman website. You may see advertisement banners on the site, and if you choose to visit those websites, you will accept the terms and conditions and privacy policy applicable to those websites. The link below directs you to our Group Privacy Policy, and our Data Protection Officer can be contacted by email at: [email protected]

All original material is Copyright © 2019 by The Sportsman Communications Ltd.
Other material is copyright their respective owners.