Has Jean Capdouze managed to get a hold of your log in details

Isn't the reality somewhere in the middle, because there are two elements: creating interest and on-field performance.

In terms of on-field performance, he won't be the best player in the Super League, and because he will be surrounded by a lot of mediocrity he will be easy to defend against. You can have the best offload in the world, or the best running threat, but if what is around isn't at the same level then I imagine the teams just have to snuff out SBW and it's job done. Put him somewhere like Saints, where there are threats everywhere, then he could be devastating.

It's more akin to when Union poached Andy Farrell. It was pitched as a huge coup, but in reality they got a league prop forward with knackered knees who hadn't played union before, and had to play him in the centres to justify his existence.

Off the field, however, it could be a different story. It has created column inches, he will be a good off-field influence for the squad, and union is played in Canada, so it might attract interest from those quarters.

Let's see how SBW fares though when he's got to do 3 months of off-season slogging in a muddy field in Bradford.

Just seen in the press that they are after Manu Tuilagi, they are either trying to build publicity by throwing out wild offers that will never become a reality or are going to be wildly over the salary cap, been that they already have 2 marquee signings in Darcy Lussick and Ricky Leutele where are they going to fit these players in under the cap?

Unless of course, they are not that bothered by a 2 point penalty and 30 grand fine.

I think it’s great to see SBW back in RL and a great effort from the wolf pack to get him in SL

Even better, I never thought I’d get the opportunity to see SBW playing down at Bell Vue

I don't think the people of Toronto will give two hoots that SB has signed for them, for all they know TWP may as well have signed Shirley Williams! I'm sure, however, he will be a good attraction at away grounds and I look forward to seeing him. In his heyday he was a bit special and no doubt will still be a handful.
I am a bit envious of the money apparently available at TWP, we've existed for nearly 150 years and can only dream of bringing in players like SBW.

Word is, she had a nifty left foot step; knees are gone now though.

Haha - I knows the feeling...

Let's be honest whatever anyone tries it usually gets groans by a lot of RL fans. Our culture is to be negative. I'm personally looking forward to seeing him on our turf. He is past his best but because he lives a healthy lifestyle if he remains injury free we might just see some real magic and top hits. There's always the added element that you want one of our lads to sit him down so we can cheer and shout he's a load of crap


The biggest problem is growing our game and no one has hit the magic button. As much as many don't like it, nationally and globally is the only long term way. There's only so long an M62 corridor can demand money and with so much more entertainment to choose from for youngsters, keeping them interested is hard too.
My only concern is whilst growing the sport and venturing into new areas we don't toss aside heritage clubs. That said they can't just expect money thrown at them when they themselves mess up! How do clubs like Swinton, Oldham etc (which I'm not knocking) grow? It's tough and as I said no one has hit that magic button yet! I would love 3 strong full time leagues with strong heritage clubs and Newcastle, London, Nottingham etc (Then I'd moan about the travelling

)

SBW won't be the Messiah himself but it certainly wants seizing upon by the powers that be and the other clubs not least to show SKY!

I’m interested in why you think TWP fans won’t know who SBW is?

They’ve being around for four years now as a club and each year the fan base increases
I believe the fans of that club should be given more credit than you are giving them.

Just because the club isn’t over 100 years old doesn’t mean the fans aren’t knowledgeable about the sport
Also remember in Canada it’s just rugby, they don’t differentiate between league and union so there is a very strong chance the fans over there we’re watching the ru wc

In one breath you are saying there fans are knowledgeable about the sport and should be given more credit for that, then in the next they don`t differentiate between league and union? How does that work?

TWP home crowd puts many a 100 + year old traditional heartland club to shame. This is going to be great for SL

And so it begins... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/50319010 You in favour of lifting the cap Belly for super Toronto Belly?

And so it begins... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/50319010 You in favour of lifting the cap Belly for super Toronto Belly?

It works fairly easily, the Canadians don’t differentiate between the two sports
It’s just rugby

I’ve no issue with that as I have no agenda against ru
I assume you do?

Freebies.

What’s the betting we’ll outnumber them for their first “home” game? Plastic club, plastic fans.

"Well done on your promotion, and welcome to SL!"

Yeah right, so does there paying support put most heartland clubs to shame. Simple answer no! You're making it up as you go along now.

Please elaborate on how, in real terms rather than fantasy, exactly how this will benefit SL?

Lighten up a bit! I appreciate TWP have a good fan base but not all of them have knowledge in depth of the players, who they are, and how long they have been around.
SBW will mean nothing to a lot of them BUT mention him to 95% of fans in SL and they would know him - I wasn't being disrespectful to them, I wouldn't expect them to have knowledge of players going back years!

Toronto SLFC are still a bit of a novelty, Belly, and remember the city has a population of nearly 3,000,000. A !0,000 gate represents just 1/300th of the potential. Trinity's crowd of average 5,000 represents about 1/20th.

Agreed cosmicat, Trinity attendances are pathetic. The citizens of Wakefield have always been apathetic to spectator sport, but attendances of 10,000 in a city of 3,000,000 isn't all that good is it?

With the squad being put together with the financial constraints Trinity have compared to Toronto I think Trinity are more likely to be successful on the pitch which will lead to improved attendances.

Family ticket deals would lead to increased attendances as well as the purchase of drinks, food, programmes and club merchandise which would increase club revenue....


Trinity are affected by a small claims court civil claim whilst Toronto allegedly pay £2 million plus per year to one ageing RU player....Trinity don't appear to have the finances to even pay up to the salary cap limit for the entire squad which would be the equivalent of SBW pay. It could be a very expensive mistake were he to pick up a serious injury at the start of the season....

Didn’t mean to come across as harsh if that’s how you took it

I just don’t buy that only 5% of the regular 9k fans will know who SBW is after following them for 4 years