The General 'Toronto Wolfpack' Discussion Thread

[CanadianRugger 1,330]

4 minutes ago, Jayme2020 said:

Maybe in that sense but you don't here people talk about there leagues as much as they do in Ontario or Quebec.

That's because Rugby Union is very regional in Canada and also parochial and political.  The BC Rugby Union and Toronto Rugby Union have an outsized voice and influence in Canadian Rugby, even though many good players come from elsewhere.

Trust me, I used to coach Junior Rugby in Ontario.  The representative teams aren't filled with the best players, just the ones whose parents are willing to pay the fees and who come from the "right" clubs.

I know a number of players who were on no ones radar in Canada yet have gone on to very successful rugby careers in Europe.  

 

Edited March 11 by CanadianRugger

[CanadianRugger 1,330]

4 minutes ago, Robin Evans said:

Wasn't schmidt captain of Rotherham in the premiership?

Yep and he later became the Director of Rugby at Esher RFC.

 

 

[Bearman 3,998]

Reports that Sonny Bill needs knee surgery and will miss most of the season.

[SL17 770]

4 minutes ago, Bearman said:

Reports that Sonny Bill needs knee surgery and will miss most of the season.

Do they have a money back guarantee?

[The Hallucinating Goose 1,885]

6 minutes ago, Bearman said:

Reports that Sonny Bill needs knee surgery and will miss most of the season.

Well that's guaranteed Toronto's survival in Super League at least. 

[Dave T 15,793]

24 minutes ago, Bearman said:

Reports that Sonny Bill needs knee surgery and will miss most of the season.

Where is that reported Bearman? Only seen the hope that it is a couple of weeks...

[Bearman 3,998]

5 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Where is that reported Bearman? Only seen the hope that it is a couple of weeks...

Perhaps not definite

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/36536/11955848/sonny-bill-williams-could-face-knee-surgery-says-toronto-coach-brian-mcdermott

[Dave T 15,793]

8 minutes ago, Bearman said:

Perhaps not definite

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/36536/11955848/sonny-bill-williams-could-face-knee-surgery-says-toronto-coach-brian-mcdermott

Yeah, that says two weeks, not the year. 

[Marty Funkhouser 359]

On 27/02/2020 at 14:19, scotchy1 said:

On 27/02/2020 at 17:33, scotchy1 said:

The difference is that the issue isnt Toronto spending their entire cap plus Stanley. Its that by virtue of Stanley counting on the cap Toronto cannot spend their entire cap.

I'm simply highlighting the ridiculous situation er have invented where Torontos salary cap is calculated using wages he has earned not being able to play for them, wages he may or may not earn as he plays or doesnt play for them added to wages that two Wigan players earned when they didnt play for Toronto and where contracted to wigan and had no relationship with toronto. Such a situation is stupid for obvious reasons 

Seems like you wasted a whole load of breath and posts Scotchy...all on a false premise.

Fancy TW tuning out just as duplicitous as the rest of SL..

"Not a trace of doubt in my mind, I'm a believer..."

[Marty Funkhouser 359]

7 minutes ago, scotchy1 said:

Why is that duplicitous?

That is pretty much literally what I suggest was happening, it's also what I suggested should happen. 

It was others who had argued such a thing was and should be impossible.

Post truth era in action...

He was never on the salary cap as you ranted on about for many posts. His cap value had nothing to do with anything...he wasn't registered at all because they had no room left due to their own mis-management.

Toronto led the world to believe that Stanley had not been registered due to "visa issues". This was an outright lie. It was down to their poor management of the cap. They should have just come clean.

if you are going to argue the point Scotchy you are just as bad in all ways.

Some good journalism coming up about this and more.

[Kayakman 5,051]

Sonny Bill has had knee surgery.

[TheReaper 1,053]

2 hours ago, Marty Funkhouser said:

Toronto led the world to believe that Stanley had not been registered due to "visa issues". This was an outright lie. It was down to their poor management of the cap. They should have just come clean.

 

2 hours ago, scotchy1 said:

I'm not all that offended they blamed it on a Visa issue. Is that supposed to be a big deal?

That's kinda my feeling. Who is, or isn't, signed, registered, or counting on the SC, is really between the player, team, and league. They aren't beholden to fill anyone else in.

[mrfranco 86]

2 hours ago, Marty Funkhouser said:

Seems like you wasted a whole load of breath and posts Scotchy...all on a false premise.

Fancy TW tuning out just as duplicitous as the rest of SL..

"Not a trace of doubt in my mind, I'm a believer..."

But if it wasn't a visa issue, why would you register Wheeler, who they've now got rid of, and not Stanley, who is one of their better players?? Strikes me there must be some truth in the visa story, otherwise it makes no sense

[TIWIT 1,344]

7 minutes ago, mrfranco said:

But if it wasn't a visa issue, why would you register Wheeler, who they've now got rid of, and not Stanley, who is one of their better players?? Strikes me there must be some truth in the visa story, otherwise it makes no sense

Maybe he originally had a visa issue and TWP. just stretched it out when it became obvious there was a problem with the salary cap. After all, TWP were naively hopeful of some salary cap dispensation that of course they never got.

[TheReaper 1,053]

Sure was nice of Rugby Canada to develop Quinn for TWP  

[mrfranco 86]

11 minutes ago, TIWIT said:

Maybe he originally had a visa issue and TWP. just stretched it out when it became obvious there was a problem with the salary cap. After all, TWP were naively hopeful of some salary cap dispensation that of course they never got.

Yes, exactly, I think something along those lines is prob closest to the truth (hence also why we heard several times that "Chase is going to arrive this week"... and then he didn't)

[Marty Funkhouser 359]

1 hour ago, mrfranco said:

But if it wasn't a visa issue, why would you register Wheeler, who they've now got rid of, and not Stanley, who is one of their better players?? Strikes me there must be some truth in the visa story, otherwise it makes no sense

Simply because Stanley will be on a salary way in excess of Wheeler and they could only fit Wheeler's SCV in. It has been a monumental balls up from day 1. Lack of foresight, planning and anticipation on many peoples parts. Noble hinted at the approach in the Wolfpack documentary.

They are currently touting further players around clubs. More to come.

[Lowdesert 2,839]

6 hours ago, Bearman said:

Reports that Sonny Bill needs knee surgery and will miss most of the season.

Another report says it might be 2 weeks.

[fairfolly 729]

Apparently a fair few more to go before they can think of signing Gigot on a full time contract. Will this not make their squad smaller. They may well have to get down on bended knee and pray they do not get any injuries or suspensions.

[fairfolly 729]

Some of them that has come in are Academy players from other clubs. They were needed to be able to announce 21 players,which by the way they did not last week,just naming 19.According to Brian McDermott players will have to released before they can register Gigot and hopefully another two who they want to sign.So,if you think it does not make sense then Brian McDermott must be wrong.

[SL17 770]

6 hours ago, TIWIT said:

Maybe he originally had a visa issue and TWP. just stretched it out when it became obvious there was a problem with the salary cap. After all, TWP were naively hopeful of some salary cap dispensation that of course they never got.

You guys could sell sand to the Arabs.

[JonM 2,497]

6 hours ago, TheReaper said:

Sure was nice of Rugby Canada to develop Quinn for TWP  

Good to see him back, he didn't look out of place playing for London Skolars a couple of years back. Are there many other people of NZ descent hanging round in Canada?

[TIWIT 1,344]

1 hour ago, SL17 said:

You guys could sell sand to the Arabs.

Or freezers to Eskimos.

[fevtom 561]

12 hours ago, SL17 said:

You guys could sell sand to the Arabs.

I believe the middle east is actually the biggest importer of sand. They use it in construction because theirs isn't as suitable. I'm not sure where I heard that fact from or if it's actually true but I'm probably never going to have an opportunity to use it.

 

Edited March 13 by fevtom

[glossop saint 351]

Can I suggest a listen to the latest Howlin' Hour podcast.  It probably won't change people's minds as they will already be made up, but worth a go.  I think that there probably is a bit of naivety in there but a good discussion on the valid reasons why there aren't Canadian players yet.  And once again the big thing that comes across is the enthusiasm for the game.