It's sad for SL really, we sign the most famous rugby player in the world, amid a lot of publicity then a global pandemic hits and he doesn't even play a home game. The sport gets no luck.

Think it's game over for Toronto though, pulling out at last minute hasn't gone down well with the RFL or fans, had they admitted defeat a month or so ago people might have been more sympathetic.

I guess this was always going to happen really. The fact is this two tier system is in operation and there is bound to be conflict of interest and priorities between the self managed Super League Europe and the rest of the clubs under the RFl.

The RFl have over many many years failed to grasp the administration of the game by the scruff of the neck lost credibility for it and so it was not difficult to see how the Money men of the Super League Clubs wanted to be masters of their own destiny. SLE was created and Putting the decision making in the hands of those who stand to lose the most (the owners) was eminently sensible. For it meant that the competition had to succeed for them to succeed and that, in the long term, benefited us all; the owners the fans the governing body and the TV company without whom there would be no full time professional league. t.

The big problem was always when a club moved from the RFL controlled Championship to the Super League controlled top division and vice versa. Look how many have gone straight back down! The gulf in costs, wages, player quality etc is far too great, because all the TV money is in the top Division because to keep the broadcaster sweet that is where the quality has to be.

A parachute payment from the top tier clubs helps demotion but when a promoted team comes up they normally just become part of the 'Sky Club' but with inferior players (what's left) and the need to play catch up all the time. The two leagues are too small which increases the jeopardy but limits the ability to forward plan, recruit youngsters and find stability.

However, because of the increased buggerment factor I don't think most of the Super League Clubs particularly wanted Toronto in the League anyway because of the obvious travelling costs to go there visa issues etc etc it was I think they thought all too unfeasible, but when the RFL told the Canadians that they would have to pay the other Championship clubs travel it was sort of sorted in the short term. That was fine whilst they were in the bottom two leagues but once they came up and because they are outside the Sky agreement the Big boys for some reason withheld their cut of the TV money and split it amongst themselves instead. That was for me a receipe for eventual disaster for however generous and committed he was, a sugar Daddy owner would not sustain that situation forever. They relied on big tv deals at their side of the pond which didn't seem to be forthcoming as the season started but then along came Covid and they were stuffed.

why do I say all that well that's how I see it has all come about. It is what the solution is that's is the real bone of contention. Perhaps the RFL should think twice before agreeing to all and sundry joining the competition, their record on expansionism is hardly a glowing one yet still they plough on. But, unless the RLF runs everything on their own as the sovereign administrative body there is always going to be conflict. But we all know that if the RFL run the lot their equatable approach to everything would see a more even distribution of the Sky money across the game but that would mean that the quality that TV demands would not be there in Super league. The other alternative is to increase Super league to 13 or 14 teams and then pull up the draw bridge and base the game on the lines of the NRL. That suits a lot at the top but not many of the smaller clubs down below, for they live on the dream of Super league, and it is a dream, because on the whole it is totally impractical under the current rules.

I guess the one thing that might change the picture could be the fact that once the furlough scheme is put to bed a lot of the smaller clubs with no meaningful games and preci0os little income until next February, March time, might unfortunately go to the wall anyway.

I hope they don't but I think this whole situation is far from over and Toronto is just the start of it all, I hope I'm wrong but there must be a lot of uncertainty around for all the lower division clubs and quite a bit of worry for the Super league Clubs too. A major restructuring of the whole British game may be inevitable before long. As for Toronto well, surely they can't just walk back into Super league next season can they? Personally I doubt that by then they will still exist.

I agree and I'm not sure it would have been legal for them to get any of the government loan money either. I'm assuming that has to be spent on English clubs.

This makes interesting reading, the NRL had cash reserves of $147m when the crisis first started.... https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/catast ... 54aa9.html

This makes interesting reading, the NRL had cash reserves of $147m when the crisis first started.... https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/catast ... 54aa9.html

Featherstone not happy! https://www.featherstonerovers.co.uk/ne ... ason-7NewB

Featherstone not happy! https://www.featherstonerovers.co.uk/ne ... ason-7NewB

English RL makes life hard for itself anyway, with some of the decisions made, without covid in the mix.
Can see it going to two leagues of 10, with other clubs outside of that cut adrift.
We could have maybe weathered the covid storm if we were a united game, but the fractured set up has just compounded the issues.

Whatever your thoughts on Toronto, it was clear that Super League owners weren’t keen on them being there.
They had no chance really.

Whatever happens, we need to generate some sort of positivity. Playing the same teams three or four times a season, or Wire signing Greg Inglis isn’t going to generate much more interest in the game.

Quote ="The Dentist Wilf"Featherstone not happy! https://www.featherstonerovers.co.uk/ne ... ason-7NewB'" I have to agree with them The RFL surely cant keep Toronto in S/L next season so they could quite easily have held a mini top 6 championship play off tournament with the winners taking the place of Toronto next season

Quote ="The Dentist Wilf"Featherstone not happy! https://www.featherstonerovers.co.uk/ne ... ason-7NewB'" I have to agree with them The RFL surely cant keep Toronto in S/L next season so they could quite easily have held a mini top 6 championship play off tournament with the winners taking the place of Toronto next season

Maybe there will still be an opportunity for Featherstone (or whoever) ....

PS. IMHO I don't think crowds will be allowed back this year, (and even if they were, the numbers are unlikely cover the costs, bearing in mind that passholders have already paid).

They’ll be back, corona virus going to be around for a long long time, people need to start getting used to it, be sensible, wash hands etc, and hopefully survive it if you get it, the treatments are much better now, so only the really at risk group probably at risk of death. I think homes at the Kc would be very low risk of catching covid with the right restrictions

will SL clubs be willing to take a hit of another £100k loss next season if they choose to demote Toronto and promote a championship club? whoever comes up will want a slice of the tv money, Toronto not getting any may go in their favour

Toronto saying they want a slice of Sky money in 2021

https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/to ... 1.24174952

https://www.timescolonist.com/sports/to ... 1.24174952

If "online impressions" is their definition of success (they were using it last year as well), I'd wave goodbye asap.

There was talk of a 13 team SL for 2021 at one point. If the oddities of an odd number work for 13 then 11 could too.

Promotion from the Championship without relegation from SL in ‘21 perhaps?

The invitational tournament for Championship clubs theyre holding in October will be how they promote a club/clubs to Super League

Nope, not what the RFL say at least. (which probably means it will)

I suggested this several days ago with the top six playing a mini tournament with the winner gaining promtotion to S/L.
I just cant see how they could allow Toronto back into S/L

They couldn't announce it until Toronto's fate has been decided, that could drag on for months.

We don't even know what might happen next season, with or without Toronto. SL is in a very precarious position.

MLSE could be interested in buying the wolfpack according to their CEO....

There's a meeting tomorrow to discuss this year's Challenge Cup. The suspension of the Championship and League One and Toronto's withdrawal from Super League has created some issues. As a reminder the Sixth Round draw is

Leeds Rhinos versus Hull Kingston Rovers.
Newcastle Thunder versus Toronto Wolfpack
Salford Red Devils versus St Helens
Sheffield Eagles versus Hull FC
Wakefield Trinity versus Featherstone Rovers
Widnes Vikings versus Catalans Dragons
Wigan Warriors versus Warrington Wolves
York City Knights versus Castleford Tigers

Potentially Hull FC, Castleford or Catalans could get a bye into the Quarter Finals then draw Toronto and get a bye into the Semi Finals.

There are a number of solutions being discussed including the possibility of a redraw, although who knows how that would work with ten Super League clubs left in.

Sheffield have pulled out of the Challenge Cup.