We reckon the newest addition to British rugby league will be keen on disproving the ‘Canadians are friendly’ stereotype.
The Rugby Football League has now confirmed that a new team will be added to League One – Toronto Wolfpack of Canada. That’s right, the first transatlantic away days of ‘domestic’ British sport.
The team will be coached by former Leigh Centurions boss Paul Rowley, with ex-Great Britain coach Brian Noble joining them as a director of rugby.
“It’s brand new,” Noble said. “I’ve done a lot of things in the game but to be involved in this and to take something from nowhere is exciting.”
Playing their home games at Toronto’s Lamport Stadium, home of the Canada national side, the Wolfpack (not to be confused with the pub from Emmerdale) will be playing home and away fixtures in blocks of fours or five, using Bradford as a base when on this side of the pond.
Fortunately for the other 15 teams that make up League One, their new Canadian opponents will fund the expenses of travelling and staying in Toronto.
Nigel Wood, the RFL’s chief executive, also added that the new addition was a positive for the sport of rugby league.
“The people behind the initiative are truly committed – it’s been explored in great detail and and the League One clubs are fully supportive of it.
“Rugby league is pushing boundaries yet again, and with the infrastructure they’ve got it’ll be a tremendous addition for our game.”
