Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Jan 05, 2017 5:48 pm  

DemonUK wrote:

Think that total is actually 3 diggory and only one of them will play regularly. Rhys Jacks an American and a Canadian 17 year old not heard of any more than that

That's more like it. And they'll train over here in Briggus.

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Jan 05, 2017 5:58 pm  

Encouraged wrote:

Oh how I laughed at how the Toronto big 'ed said he is going to "raise the standard of RL in the UK" and that his "superstar athletes" will require only a "little bit of up-skilling in order to convert to rugby league"

Richard Head of the highest order. Typical North American attitude.

If they can attract 7000 crowds, they deserve to take the place of a less well supported "traditional" club. It's a harsh world - if nobody wants to watch you, play at a lower level.

And I wouldn't under-estimate the potential of NFL and CFL rejects as potential RL players. These players have transferable skills.

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:23 pm  

I hope it's a success, I'd like to think that everybody on here wants it to be a success but only time will tell.

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Jan 05, 2017 6:52 pm  

Norman Bates wrote:

I hope it's a success, I'd like to think that everybody on here wants it to be a success but only time will tell.

Norm, I hate seeing any club fail, I'm gutted for Bradford.

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Jan 05, 2017 10:53 pm  

diggory compton wrote:

Norm, I hate seeing any club fail, I'm gutted for Bradford.

So am I.

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Thu Jan 05, 2017 11:03 pm  

DGM wrote:

wow! Go give your mouth a good wipe mate, you're frothing all over the place.

I merely addressed a couple of points made earlier on the thread regarding playing getting/taking time off to travel to Canada, and the under of 'homegrown' players in their squad (and I use the term 'homegrown' very loosely at this early stage). You're flying off the handle at me like I personally been running the RFL for the last 30 years, calm down.

This right here is one of the strange by-products of the Toronto bid - vitriol I suppose would be the word.

To try and address your points calmly and in a polite fashion;

There are 5 'homegrown' players in their squad for 2017. Will any of them get any game time, yes I think they will. partly because they're playing in league 1, so the standard isn't great and they should be able to not look too far out of place, and secondly because Toronto haven't built up a huge squad (in terms of numbers). A few injuries and these lads will be called up.
One thing that the Toronto club have said all along is that they do not want to rely on foreign imports, and they hope to build on the fledgling youth set up in Canada and also tap into the NFL and other sports 'cast-offs' in North America.

A heartland club "sacrificed". No club is making way for Toronto, League 1 is going from 15 teams in 2016, to 16 teams next year. Also, with the current league structure as it is now, it means that they have to earn their place in SL, they won't be plonked there like we've seen with clubs in the past. this is surely the right way to go?
Somehow linking the demise of one club by the inclusion of another is quite naïve really. Maybe you've said that because of the recent news on Bradford, but their demise has been in the making for the past 10 years, mainly through inept management of the club, and any subsequent club going to the wall (which I hope doesn't happen), will be through their own doing. .
If Halifax were to get promoted, and say Wakefield relegated, how would that be any different? And why would Wakefield be more likely to survive if their relegation is at the hands of a heartlands club?

I share your dream, a French league, a UK league and a North American league - that would be great for the sport, but that just isn't doable now and takes time.

One of the main differences in the Toronto bid is that they approached us. They want to be part of it, they want to invest in our sport, and they're willing to foot the bill for it. The RFL would be mental to turn them and their investment away, especially since the RFL will carry no risk what so ever. I've followed their story quite closely, as I said before, I've family there and I love the city and region. Whilst someone could describe what they're saying as spin, and in a way they're right, there are tangible signs that this could work too.

You've realised you've massively contradicted yourself there though. In one point you're saying the heartlands are strong and why should we need these extra teams, but in another point you say the game in this country is weak. It IS weak, I agree. There are probably only 5 actually strong heartland clubs at the moment.

Your analogy about businesses only expanding when strong is also a poor one really. If a business is struggling and they do nothing, they'll die. Businesses have to adapt and so do we as a sport. Also, unlike a business expanding or investing, this (from our/the RFL's point of view) is completely free.

I am not into Brownie point scoring so accept your point about they 'want to be part of RL' fair enough but you nit pic on my point about the game being strong - it isn't what I am saying is that when and if Toronto get into SL then a team WILL have to drop out and that will hurt them, yes I admit I am a fan of P&R so I should say tough luck but I am annoyed that whilst RL in England is weak right now the RFL seem more bothered about jumping at any money man promising the earth from anywhere else in the world rather than supporting our teams in this country who could do with some help right now. As for a business expanding you are wrong mate they do not expand when they are struggling they consolidate usually by closing under performing stores etc... You also have not admitted that with their squad they will wallop most teams in NL1 what good will that do clubs like Hemel and Coventry getting 80 or 90 points put on them?
I am sure you will come back with some more clever replies but this is end of story for me I like many other now former RL fans are sick of the way RL is run right now tbh

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Fri Jan 06, 2017 10:20 am  

Fax4Life wrote: I am not into Brownie point scoring so accept your point about they 'want to be part of RL' fair enough but you nit pic on my point about the game being strong - it isn't what I am saying is that when and if Toronto get into SL then a team WILL have to drop out and that will hurt them, yes I admit I am a fan of P&R so I should say tough luck but I am annoyed that whilst RL in England is weak right now the RFL seem more bothered about jumping at any money man promising the earth from anywhere else in the world rather than supporting our teams in this country who could do with some help right now. As for a business expanding you are wrong mate they do not expand when they are struggling they consolidate usually by closing under performing stores etc... You also have not admitted that with their squad they will wallop most teams in NL1 what good will that do clubs like Hemel and Coventry getting 80 or 90 points put on them? I am sure you will come back with some more clever replies but this is end of story for me I like many other now former RL fans are sick of the way RL is run right now tbh It sounds like your issues are with the RFL, rather than with Toronto? Coincidentally, you're club have invited fans down to watch them train with Toronto on Saturday: https://www.halifaxrlfc.co.uk/article/4 ... -fax-squad Looks like a decent opportunity for fans to see the facilities and the team train.

Fax4Life wrote: I am not into Brownie point scoring so accept your point about they 'want to be part of RL' fair enough but you nit pic on my point about the game being strong - it isn't what I am saying is that when and if Toronto get into SL then a team WILL have to drop out and that will hurt them, yes I admit I am a fan of P&R so I should say tough luck but I am annoyed that whilst RL in England is weak right now the RFL seem more bothered about jumping at any money man promising the earth from anywhere else in the world rather than supporting our teams in this country who could do with some help right now. As for a business expanding you are wrong mate they do not expand when they are struggling they consolidate usually by closing under performing stores etc... You also have not admitted that with their squad they will wallop most teams in NL1 what good will that do clubs like Hemel and Coventry getting 80 or 90 points put on them? I am sure you will come back with some more clever replies but this is end of story for me I like many other now former RL fans are sick of the way RL is run right now tbh It sounds like your issues are with the RFL, rather than with Toronto? Coincidentally, you're club have invited fans down to watch them train with Toronto on Saturday: https://www.halifaxrlfc.co.uk/article/4 ... -fax-squad Looks like a decent opportunity for fans to see the facilities and the team train.

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Fri Jan 06, 2017 4:47 pm  

diggory compton wrote:

Norm, I hate seeing any club fail, I'm gutted for Bradford.

Me too, I'm gutted for the Bulls fans, especially those who once again, having supported their club by buying early season tickets, have been screwed over. Bradford have failed 3 times in recent years so the question is- is it time to give up or is it time to accept reality and move from the hole in the ground and cut their cloth appropriately ?

Their repeated failures affect a lot if people so they need to realise they are a Championship team and manage that state of affairs.

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Fri Jan 06, 2017 5:08 pm  

Norman Bates wrote:

Me too, I'm gutted for the Bulls fans, especially those who once again, having supported their club by buying early season tickets, have been screwed over. Bradford have failed 3 times in recent years so the question is- is it time to give up or is it time to accept reality and move from the hole in the ground and cut their cloth appropriately ?

Their repeated failures affect a lot if people so they need to realise they are a Championship team and manage that state of affairs.

Norman, even their fans don't realise they'renot SL anymore....believe me!

Re: New "darlings of RL" Toronto Wolfpack : Fri Jan 06, 2017 6:28 pm  

Norman Bates wrote:

Me too, I'm gutted for the Bulls fans, especially those who once again, having supported their club by buying early season tickets, have been screwed over. Bradford have failed 3 times in recent years so the question is- is it time to give up or is it time to accept reality and move from the hole in the ground and cut their cloth appropriately ?

Their repeated failures affect a lot if people so they need to realise they are a Championship team and manage that state of affairs.

Norman I'm sure as a die hard Fax fan you would never give up on your team no matter how many times they were in the brown stuff , I applaud all RL Fans as they are such great people,,I'm not sure what has really happened at the Bulls , but I do feel for them nobody likes seeing a team down and out .