Toulouse to super league : Mon Oct 11, 2021 2:02 am  

Olympique xiii into super league, congratulations to them. Not denying they looked to be a cut above in the Championship this year.. Certainly on the face of things T O have been the form side, have a massive fan base and seemingly the backing of a generous BoD, all requirements to be successful. Ask this question to yourself or the RFL: Has it been a level playing field this year? They have only played 13 games in the regular season, and had 2 playoff games at home. Every other team has played weekly home and away, carrying bumps, bruises, suspensions, and, fatigue, at the end of the season most were down to the bare bones of squad players fit enough to pull on the colours.. Not apportioning any blame at T O xiii as the criteria was set by the RFL, but having to travel on the day of games, due to the current restrictions, was it fair?, could not a neutral ground be used so both teams had to travel? Consider this, getting up at 5:00 in a morning, travelling 1000 or so miles then playing a hard game will test even the fittest of players, and then playing against a team who have only played half a season, and have no injury or tiredness in their bones. No sour grapes, but come on RFL make things as equal as possible.

Re: Toulouse to super league : Mon Oct 11, 2021 6:49 am  

Most of that is undoubtedly correct although I don't know where you've seen Toulouse's massive fan base. The thing is, as you say, it was all agreed at the start of the season. It is what it is. At the end of the day The RFL/SL have got their wish and have two French clubs in Super League. That is a decision those in charge will have live with for better or worse. As for the game itself, I was very surprised at the gulf between the two teams. Toulouse were way ahead of Fev in every department but even that may not see them safe in SL unless they find 4/5 top quality players from somewhere. We shall see.

Re: Toulouse to super league : Mon Oct 11, 2021 11:31 am  

I think that match ought to serve as a reality check for where we are .ie. some way behind fev and fev were some distance from Toulouse. So 3rd might be our finishing point but end of season form would put us about 7th at best. Next year it will be fev and leigh fighting it out for the promised land imo.so the best to hope for would be 3rd again with the new rumoured signings I know premier sports might be seen as a lifeline but monday night rugby is likely to lead to more problems than positives ie pre match meal 500pm on a monday night even sponsors on a freebie would be struggling

Re: Toulouse to super league : Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:07 pm  

Aye.... way better than us in every aspect of the game yesterday

Re: Toulouse to super league : Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:49 pm  

Fair play to Toulouse they deserved there win and all the best to them for next season. It will be interesting to see how the format for 2023 affects next season in all of the divisions when they finally make up there minds what it will be. As for fev they have had overall a very good season but yesterday will sting for some time to come. They looked off the pace for me in that first half yes Toulouse were very good from the off but it seemed fev did not get into gear until the second half which left them with too much to do against a strong Toulouse side.

Re: Toulouse to super league : Wed Oct 13, 2021 10:01 am  

Best two sides of the comp and fair play to Toulouse who were the best side on the day and probably the strongest side to play in the Championship including the Leigh and Toronto teams imho.

Re: Toulouse to super league : Wed Oct 13, 2021 10:54 am  

Looking at Toulouse's promotion from my point of view as a Fax fan in the Championship, the only negative I can see is missing out on a fantastic weekend in't South of France. Other than that it's Au revoir, and see you later.

Re: Toulouse to super league : Wed Oct 13, 2021 11:23 am  

I agree excellent w/e away i hope they do well in Super Greed

Re: Toulouse to super league : Wed Oct 13, 2021 12:10 pm  

bentleyman wrote:

I agree excellent w/e away i hope they do well in Super Greed

We are back now Mick , and I’m happy , hope to see ya next season , a new Coach to be announced later this week , and about 10 new signings , I’m happy the way things are going .Charlie knows .

Re: Toulouse to super league : Wed Oct 13, 2021 12:26 pm  

TFIA - I'm with HS about "...have a massive fan base..." they managed 9,200 for the final (of which @500 were Fev fans), but there was a significant number of free tickets given away by TO and they are well down the pecking order in terms of French sport, behind Football and RU in particular. They were averaging about 2,000 in 2019 sop for me have a long way to go. However they do have an environment, if they we're to market it correctly, where they could grow their support significantly, most of Toulouse didn't even know their was a final going on.

As for the game TO were bigger, stronger and faster across the park than we were on the day, on top of which we made far too many mistakes and only came back into it when Casty & Hanson rotated off. In the end TO ran out deserved winners. For my part I wish them well, but it will be difficult for them to retain their SL status if in 2022 it does go to 2x10 leagues.