While the 64-22 defeat was a big loss, York competed well for most of it and I think the signs were there that York could compete if they played them at home. 7 trys in 20mins either side of half time did the damage, I thought the same would happen on Sunday when Toronto scored 2 quick trys straight after half time.

Despite his referee moan, I'm glad Rowley hasn't used injuries as an excuse as York were also missing some players who would've been in the 17 - including captain Ed Smith who will probably be at a Super League club next season.

One final point. I spoke to around 30 Canadian fans before the match, most of them living over here. Including those wearing Wolfpack gear, they had perhaps 200 there. If they reach Super League, and continue with the good marketing work they've done, I can see not just their home crowd but also their away support putting some established clubs to shame.

Even IF Shudds got a 7k crowd, with the £99 season tickets, its only equivalent to 3.5k anywhere else

hilarious! thats a new one





could be worse and have salford , widnes crowds... (giants get 5k home fans every week so not too bad.)

or play in that thing called a stadium at belle vue thats shared with sheffield

indeed, with Catalans & Toulouse 'not doing great' Jean, is now a 'fake' canadian, or should that be 'french-canadian' ?

Played 9 on the bounce at the start of the season but only featured once since due to injury. He's been played all over though so those 9/10 games were never in a settled position. Scored 3 tries too.

Agreed! When they played in Toronto I thought York played really well and looked like the only team who could do some damage against Toronto. I also agree with your assessment of the game. However I will credit the York coach as he learned a lot defensively too. I know Toronto also had an off game but York did not allow them to play which I though was fantastic! York also kept their discipline too!

You're right! Fair play to Rowley for not blaming injuries, then again how could he with the side he put out? Ed Smith is a very good player and will have been a bigger miss for York than say Dixon, Wheeler and Bailey were for Toronto based on the size and quality of Toronto's depth. And I hope the York boys go well! Especially after having such a worrying off season and they weren't even included in the fixtures due to their uncertainty of survival. I just hope York go from strength to strength now!

Canadians do love their sport and I hope Toronto do progress and gets more fans behind our wonderful game. Yes, it is run by monkey's who have no idea but the sport itself is the best. And opening up our professional game to a 'new' country will bear fruit in a few years. And I do hope they travel well too! After all at the moment it's a novelty for them too!