General Toronto Wolfpack
- Thread starter Lord Gnome of Howick MBE
- Start date
I wrote to the Wolfpack and the RLWC2025 team asking if they consider making Geno Segers their Rugby League Ambassador starting now, it would give the game a profile among non league fans in North America, it would be a coup for sure, I haven't heard anything back yet.
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/rugby/rgl-golds-wolfpack-1.4196563
Recap
Canadian teen Ngawati makes Wolfpack debut as Toronto thumps All Golds
Victoria native becomes 1st Canadian-born player to feature in lineup
By Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press Posted: Jul 08, 2017 7:10 PM ET Last Updated: Jul 08, 2017 9:43 PM ET
Toronto Wolfpack cruise past All Golds 1:03
The Toronto Wolfpack put down some deeper roots in addition to recording another lopsided win Saturday as Victoria teenager Quinn Ngawati became the first Canadian-born player to feature for the fledgling rugby league team.
Ngawati, who turned 18 in June, came off the bench in the 55th minute in a 62-10 romp over the Gloucestershire All Golds that extended the Wolfpack's win streak to 14 games.
The six-foot-four, 212-pound forward wasted little time getting involved in the fray on both offence and defence. He did not look out of place, flicking a nice one-handed pass to set up a try.
He showed a cool head after the game as well.
"To be honest, I just take every day as it comes," said Ngawati. "I just try to get better every day and whatever comes out of it, it's always going to be a bonus. This definitely tops the chart but as coach [Paul Rowley] said there's a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to that."
Ngawati (pronounced Now-r-tee) is the first Canadian-born player to play pro rugby league according to Canada Rugby League, the governing body of the sport in Canada.
"I thought when he took to the field, he answered any questions that we had," said Rowley. "Because the one thing we never knew was how tough is Quinn Ngawati. And he ticked that box, more than ticked it. I thought he was outstanding.
"I think the whole day today is about Quinn Ngawati."
While the Wolfpack sport a pair of Canadian internationals in Rhys Jacks and Tom Dempsey, they are Australian-born and qualify to wear the Maple Leaf by virtue of their bloodlines. Most of the team comes from Britain although there are players who carry the colours of New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga.
A 'rough diamond'
Ngawati was one of three players to survive the Wolfpack's tryouts last year. While he is now the only one left, the teen was seen as one for the future until a spate of injuries got Rowley to thinking about bringing him in for another look during the current four-game home stand.
Ngawati said he was in class — possibly physics — at St. Michaels University School when the call to come east was made by the Wolfpack. He graduated from high school on June 19 and was on a plane June 21.
The big Canadian impressed during training and finally got his chance Saturday.
Asked after the game whether Ngawati's stay would be extended, Rowley replied: "I want to keep him."
Then, only half-joking, he added: "I want to keep him forever."
Rowley calls Ngawati, who has also played rugby union for Canada at age-grade level, a "rough diamond."
Ngawati's father is from New Zealand with Maori roots — a background that is proudly illustrated via the tattoo on the back of Quinn's calf. Ngawati Sr., played rugby league so Quinn grew up immersed in both union and league. His mother is Canadian, meeting her future husband in New Zealand.
Captain Craig Hall scored two tries with Jacks, Fuifui Moimoi, Jonny Pownall, Richard Whiting, Bob Beswick, Greg Worthingon, Steve Crossley, Quentin Laulu-Togaga'e and American Ryan Burroughs adding singles for Toronto (14-0-0), which led 34-6 at the half despite a long injury list on the day.
Bidding to win promotion
Hall added nine conversions before an announced crowd of 7,139 on a glorious summer afternoon at Lamport Stadium.
It could have been worse. Toronto crossed the try-line six more times but was unable to get the ball down because of some valiant defending.
Skipper Steven Parry and Lewis Reece scored tries for the All Golds (6-8-0). Jack Mitchell added a conversion for the visitors, who took their lumps physically.
It was more of the same for the fully professional Wolfpack, who have had their way with opposition in the Kingstone Press League One, the third tier of English rugby league.
Toronto, rugby's first transatlantic team, is starting at the bottom as it bids to win promotion to the second-tier Championship and then the elite Super League. It has promised to take care of travel and housing costs for visiting teams until it cracks the top level.
Toronto has led that chase all season, topping the table while averaging 60 points a game over its first 14 contests.
Toronto was without the injured Blake Wallace and Sean Penkywicz (ankle), Ryan Brierley (hernia), Ryan Bailey (knee), Andrew Dixon (foot) and Gary Wheeler (quad).
The injuries forced a reshuffle of the backline with winger Liam Kay moving to centre, allowing Hall to start at No. 6. Burroughs came in for Kay on the wing.
Recap
Canadian teen Ngawati makes Wolfpack debut as Toronto thumps All Golds
Victoria native becomes 1st Canadian-born player to feature in lineup
By Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press Posted: Jul 08, 2017 7:10 PM ET Last Updated: Jul 08, 2017 9:43 PM ET
Toronto Wolfpack cruise past All Golds 1:03
The Toronto Wolfpack put down some deeper roots in addition to recording another lopsided win Saturday as Victoria teenager Quinn Ngawati became the first Canadian-born player to feature for the fledgling rugby league team.
Ngawati, who turned 18 in June, came off the bench in the 55th minute in a 62-10 romp over the Gloucestershire All Golds that extended the Wolfpack's win streak to 14 games.
The six-foot-four, 212-pound forward wasted little time getting involved in the fray on both offence and defence. He did not look out of place, flicking a nice one-handed pass to set up a try.
He showed a cool head after the game as well.
"To be honest, I just take every day as it comes," said Ngawati. "I just try to get better every day and whatever comes out of it, it's always going to be a bonus. This definitely tops the chart but as coach [Paul Rowley] said there's a lot of work to do and I'm looking forward to that."
Ngawati (pronounced Now-r-tee) is the first Canadian-born player to play pro rugby league according to Canada Rugby League, the governing body of the sport in Canada.
"I thought when he took to the field, he answered any questions that we had," said Rowley. "Because the one thing we never knew was how tough is Quinn Ngawati. And he ticked that box, more than ticked it. I thought he was outstanding.
"I think the whole day today is about Quinn Ngawati."
While the Wolfpack sport a pair of Canadian internationals in Rhys Jacks and Tom Dempsey, they are Australian-born and qualify to wear the Maple Leaf by virtue of their bloodlines. Most of the team comes from Britain although there are players who carry the colours of New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga.
A 'rough diamond'
Ngawati was one of three players to survive the Wolfpack's tryouts last year. While he is now the only one left, the teen was seen as one for the future until a spate of injuries got Rowley to thinking about bringing him in for another look during the current four-game home stand.
Ngawati said he was in class — possibly physics — at St. Michaels University School when the call to come east was made by the Wolfpack. He graduated from high school on June 19 and was on a plane June 21.
The big Canadian impressed during training and finally got his chance Saturday.
Asked after the game whether Ngawati's stay would be extended, Rowley replied: "I want to keep him."
Then, only half-joking, he added: "I want to keep him forever."
Rowley calls Ngawati, who has also played rugby union for Canada at age-grade level, a "rough diamond."
Ngawati's father is from New Zealand with Maori roots — a background that is proudly illustrated via the tattoo on the back of Quinn's calf. Ngawati Sr., played rugby league so Quinn grew up immersed in both union and league. His mother is Canadian, meeting her future husband in New Zealand.
Captain Craig Hall scored two tries with Jacks, Fuifui Moimoi, Jonny Pownall, Richard Whiting, Bob Beswick, Greg Worthingon, Steve Crossley, Quentin Laulu-Togaga'e and American Ryan Burroughs adding singles for Toronto (14-0-0), which led 34-6 at the half despite a long injury list on the day.
Bidding to win promotion
Hall added nine conversions before an announced crowd of 7,139 on a glorious summer afternoon at Lamport Stadium.
It could have been worse. Toronto crossed the try-line six more times but was unable to get the ball down because of some valiant defending.
Skipper Steven Parry and Lewis Reece scored tries for the All Golds (6-8-0). Jack Mitchell added a conversion for the visitors, who took their lumps physically.
It was more of the same for the fully professional Wolfpack, who have had their way with opposition in the Kingstone Press League One, the third tier of English rugby league.
Toronto, rugby's first transatlantic team, is starting at the bottom as it bids to win promotion to the second-tier Championship and then the elite Super League. It has promised to take care of travel and housing costs for visiting teams until it cracks the top level.
Toronto has led that chase all season, topping the table while averaging 60 points a game over its first 14 contests.
Toronto was without the injured Blake Wallace and Sean Penkywicz (ankle), Ryan Brierley (hernia), Ryan Bailey (knee), Andrew Dixon (foot) and Gary Wheeler (quad).
The injuries forced a reshuffle of the backline with winger Liam Kay moving to centre, allowing Hall to start at No. 6. Burroughs came in for Kay on the wing.
Good to see Canadian-Kiwi flying high across the world...
There are Ngapuhi Ngawati's from up north and I think Kevin Ngawati played rugby league in Auckland way back last century. I wonder if he is related.
Cool to see a Canadian born player making their side. Sure it is a different level but look how long it took the Storm to get a local product. Sure Melbourne isn't a traditional league locale but still it is in a country that plays the game.
Its great to see a positive start for Toronto. I read an article a few weeks ago now that there is interest fromother teams in US and Canada to join the competition.
League really needs to get more aggressive on expansion even in Australia.
League really needs to get more aggressive on expansion even in Australia.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/toronto-wolfpack-delivered-every-level-10846655
Toronto Wolfpack have delivered on every level even in the third tier — imagine them in Super League!
The Canadians are walking League One in their debut season but the most exciting aspects at a time when the game in this country probably needs some glitz, glamour and a shot in the arm have been off the field
RL legend Jamie sees Toronto as the first step towards the sport cracking North America (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
Toronto Wolfpack have already been a breath of fresh air for rugby league — and they’re only just getting started.
The Canadian club are walking through League One in their debut season after recruiting well — but the most exciting aspects for me are what we’ve seen happening off the field.
For the Wolfpack’s first year they’ve had fantastic crowds — 7,247 watched their game against Hemel Stags last weekend.
The club is already taking rugby league into new markets, their media coverage so far has included articles in the New York Times and Esquire magazine.
The new club is coming at everything from a new angle... (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
...and are drawing plenty of fans — not all of them dressed as wolves! (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
One of the biggest pluses has been seeing Canadian youngster Quinn Ngawati feature in the last two matches — and I’m sure there will be more where he’s come from. They’ve come at everything from a new angle and that’s been really refreshing.
We’re at a time in this country where the game probably needs some glitz, glamour and a shot in the arm — and if Toronto can work their way up to the top division they could provide it.
It’s good for the game that we have people with real enthusiasm to grow the sport, set a clear plan out and then deliver on what they’ve said.
Realistically I don’t think this season could have gone any better for them. They’re undefeated in the league, have attracted big crowds and ran Salford close in the Challenge Cup.
There's been plenty of action to enjoy... (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
...both with and without the ball (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
There have been some people against it, but that’s the same with anything.
The Wolfpack haven’t been transported straight into Betfred Super League, they’ve done it the right way from the bottom, and it will be interesting to see how they go on their next step up in the Championship.
I love change, enthusiasm and clubs that bring energy to the sport, and Toronto have definitely delivered all of that.
And all of this has been happening while they’re playing in the third tier. Imagine what could happen if they do reach Super League.
Homegrown rising-star Quinn Ngawati should be the first of many, says Peacock (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
Anybody can be sceptical about these things, but in the nine months so far they have absolutely delivered on everything they said they would — crowds, performances and media exposure.
Toronto Wolfpack have delivered on every level even in the third tier — imagine them in Super League!
The Canadians are walking League One in their debut season but the most exciting aspects at a time when the game in this country probably needs some glitz, glamour and a shot in the arm have been off the field
- 18:45, 21 JUL 2017
RL legend Jamie sees Toronto as the first step towards the sport cracking North America (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
Toronto Wolfpack have already been a breath of fresh air for rugby league — and they’re only just getting started.
The Canadian club are walking through League One in their debut season after recruiting well — but the most exciting aspects for me are what we’ve seen happening off the field.
For the Wolfpack’s first year they’ve had fantastic crowds — 7,247 watched their game against Hemel Stags last weekend.
The club is already taking rugby league into new markets, their media coverage so far has included articles in the New York Times and Esquire magazine.
The new club is coming at everything from a new angle... (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
...and are drawing plenty of fans — not all of them dressed as wolves! (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
One of the biggest pluses has been seeing Canadian youngster Quinn Ngawati feature in the last two matches — and I’m sure there will be more where he’s come from. They’ve come at everything from a new angle and that’s been really refreshing.
We’re at a time in this country where the game probably needs some glitz, glamour and a shot in the arm — and if Toronto can work their way up to the top division they could provide it.
It’s good for the game that we have people with real enthusiasm to grow the sport, set a clear plan out and then deliver on what they’ve said.
Realistically I don’t think this season could have gone any better for them. They’re undefeated in the league, have attracted big crowds and ran Salford close in the Challenge Cup.
There's been plenty of action to enjoy... (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
...both with and without the ball (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
There have been some people against it, but that’s the same with anything.
The Wolfpack haven’t been transported straight into Betfred Super League, they’ve done it the right way from the bottom, and it will be interesting to see how they go on their next step up in the Championship.
I love change, enthusiasm and clubs that bring energy to the sport, and Toronto have definitely delivered all of that.
And all of this has been happening while they’re playing in the third tier. Imagine what could happen if they do reach Super League.
Homegrown rising-star Quinn Ngawati should be the first of many, says Peacock (Image: Toronto Wolfpack)
Anybody can be sceptical about these things, but in the nine months so far they have absolutely delivered on everything they said they would — crowds, performances and media exposure.
Toronto lose their first league game - and what a crowd (2,600) for a third division fixture!
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/1..._Toronto_Wolfpack_____and_end_perfect_record/
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
York City Knights' Will Jubb looks up at the referee only for his 'try' to be chalked off. Picture: Gordon Clayton
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
Knights' Nev Morrison is halted by Toronto Wolfpack’s James Laithwaite as Bob Beswick closes in. Picture: Gordon Clayton
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
York City Knights' Liam Harris races clear to score his second try against Toronto. Picture: Gordon Clayton
YORK City Knights coach James Ford was asked before kick off what the target was for the game, how many points did they want to keep Toronto down to.
The Knights, after all, were playing against a full-time team bursting with NRL, Super League and top-end Championship experience. A moneybags team who had swept all before them in Kingstone Press League One, including York 64-22 in Canada. A club who are expected to breeze to promotion in this tier and the tier above.
Ford looked back with a steely, slightly annoyed look. “What? We want to win.”
Most rugby league fans up and down the country, on the other side of the Atlantic too, may have scoffed.
What followed, though, was arguably the best, most notable result not only of this season or under this new regime, but probably in the history of the club since they were reborn in 2002. Probably for decades before that too.
The Knights won 26-16. The Wolfpack lost their unbeaten record, their invincible tag ripped up.
Andy Gomersall, who has been watching York for 69 years, who hasn’t missed a game in 19 years, was asked what he could remember surpassing this as a shock result.
“I recall us beating Leeds in the second round of the cup in 1958, and Leeds were really strong then.”
The new regime had sold the transatlantic fixture so well that they smashed the recent crowd records at Bootham Crescent.
What Ford’s men did on the pitch sold the club even more. There really is a genuine feeling of going places.
“I told you we’d win,” stated Ford afterwards, still slightly angry that he’d even been asked.
Just think – this time last year, the old hierarchy had called off the opening fixture of the Super 8s under the threat of closing down the club. Many fans had left, players were about follow suit. What the new broom has brought is pretty astonishing.
Ford made six changes in personnel to the side that nilled Workington in the last of the regular season fixtures.
Skipper Ed Smith was ruled out with his knee injury – fears are growing his season is over – and into the second-row came the wonderfully-named Zeus Silk for his debut after his deadline day arrival on loan from Hull. He played like he had been here all season.
Also on debut was on loan Hull KR centre Jake Butler-Fleming – James Haynes dropping to the bench despite his hat-trick heroics against Worky. The Aussie showed plenty of class and scored a debut try too.
Dual-reg boys Liam Harris, fit again, and Kieran Moran, after his ban, were back at stand-off and prop respectively, while front-rowers Chris Siddons and Ronan Dixon also returned. The packmen worked so hard; Harris was a constant livewire, simply a joy to watch.
Out went Mitch Clark, Graeme Horne and George Lawler, who have all returned to Hull KR after their brief dual-reg switch, half-back Harry Tyson-Wilson and hooker Andy Ellis. The latter’s absence meant Ford trusted Will Jubb as the sole hooker. And why not?
Toronto may or may not have made changes – either way they had a team which, on paper, should be competing in the Middle Eights at least, never mind League One.
To add to the disbelief, Ford only used 16 men. Haynes was not needed.
York asked all the early questions. Two knock-ons and three penalties kept play in the visitors’ half, with the Wolfpack on a team warning too.
Then the noise went up several notches.
Ash Robson burst onto the scene and, while his pass was loose, Butler-Fleming scooped it up wonderfully well and skipped past full-back Quentin Laulu Togagae.
Toronto only got into York’s first half after the restart and immediately showed their threat, denied a clear chance only by a forward pass.
Then came more noise.
QLT, under pressure, dropped the ball 40 metres from his own line, and Harris picked it up and cruised to the sticks.
Ryan Brierley was sin-binned for dissent before the restart. The Wolfpack were clearly rattled.
The 12 men went close, though, on the back of their first penalty – big Jack Bussey unceremoniously held up.
Two more penalties gave them another chance, as did a lucky ricochet.
But York broke out, big Adam Robinson on the charge – a quarter-chance offload to Harris going to ground.
In the reverse clash, York were blown away by 10 tries in 27 minutes either side of half-time.
There was no sign of that here. Indeed, it was the Knights who so nearly extended their lead, Jubb reaching over from dummy-half, only for the try to be disallowed for a double movement.
Then they did score again.
Harris bamboozled everyone so much that he almost bamboozled himself before breaking through and somehow evading the full-back. More noise than even before.
Connor Robinson added his third conversion and the Knights were 18-0 up on the half-time hooter.
Chants of “Oo are yer?” as the Wolfpack left the field. More noise as the Knights went into the changing rooms.
The interval came too soon, though.
The Knights were seemingly still in the sheds when Brierley scored a simple try at the sticks, Craig Hall converting.
Then, when an attack broke down, Brierley’s kick forced a dropout. Out came the offloads and Bob Beswick dummied in from dummy-half, Hall goaling.
Surely here came the inevitable game-changing Wolfpack onslaught.
Not so. Ford sent pack leader Tim Spears back on. Immediately the Knights looked better, soon forcing a dropout.
However, when Connor Robinson spotted a gap and tried to kick in behind, it was picked off and out came the Wolfpack again. Hall thought he had scored but, like Jubb, was penalised for a double movement.
Then the Knights looked sure to cross – Joe Batchelor striding through only to be ankle-tapped with the whitewash otherwise at his mercy.
Ash Robson was held up over the line, too, while a Robinson dab saw the defence just get to the ball first.
They did eke their lead up, though, after Robson, dashing and darting, won a penalty for a high shot, Robinson obliging.
Bussey’s foul also went on report. There had been a few other dirty old tricks from the Wolfpack that escaped censure.
However, the Wolfpack immediately hit back – and it was a wholly avoidable try.
Connor Robinson risked an offload in his own half and it ended in the visitors’ hands.
Robson got back to halt Kay, but from the play-the-ball, former Super League centre Hall went on the short side and left Brad Hey punching the ground in frustration as he broke his tackle to touch down.
Hall’s conversion hit a post, leaving it 20-16.
Toronto were soon down to 12 men for another 10 minutes, though. Bussey, playing on the edge of the rules all day, was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Silk.
The Knights went so close – desperate defence just denying Joe Porter.
Then came more noise even than before.
Harris was again the creator with a dummy and one-handed pass. Butler-Fleming was up there with him and he sent Connor Robinson diving over the whitewash. The scrum-half goaled and it was 26-16 with 10 minutes left.
Most teams usually need lots of fortune to pull off such a massive shock result as this. The Knights were far from reliant on Lady Luck but she smiled on them when a cut-out pass gave Jonny Pownall an easy finish down the wing – only for the Wolfpack winger to inexplicably bounce the ball down.
The clock ticked down. The Wolfpack were desperate. They lost their ball in their own half. Robson had sight of the try-line but was pulled back by a forward pass.
One try could yet have changed the game. However, Hall’s dab, with team-mates in space, was far too strong and the ball ran dead.
With it went their hopes. The Wolfpack will still march to promotion, but York will always be the team to have spoiled their perfect record, on a frankly brilliant day at Bootham Crescent.
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/1..._Toronto_Wolfpack_____and_end_perfect_record/
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
York City Knights' Will Jubb looks up at the referee only for his 'try' to be chalked off. Picture: Gordon Clayton
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
Knights' Nev Morrison is halted by Toronto Wolfpack’s James Laithwaite as Bob Beswick closes in. Picture: Gordon Clayton
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
York City Knights' Liam Harris races clear to score his second try against Toronto. Picture: Gordon Clayton
YORK City Knights coach James Ford was asked before kick off what the target was for the game, how many points did they want to keep Toronto down to.
The Knights, after all, were playing against a full-time team bursting with NRL, Super League and top-end Championship experience. A moneybags team who had swept all before them in Kingstone Press League One, including York 64-22 in Canada. A club who are expected to breeze to promotion in this tier and the tier above.
Ford looked back with a steely, slightly annoyed look. “What? We want to win.”
Most rugby league fans up and down the country, on the other side of the Atlantic too, may have scoffed.
What followed, though, was arguably the best, most notable result not only of this season or under this new regime, but probably in the history of the club since they were reborn in 2002. Probably for decades before that too.
The Knights won 26-16. The Wolfpack lost their unbeaten record, their invincible tag ripped up.
Andy Gomersall, who has been watching York for 69 years, who hasn’t missed a game in 19 years, was asked what he could remember surpassing this as a shock result.
“I recall us beating Leeds in the second round of the cup in 1958, and Leeds were really strong then.”
The new regime had sold the transatlantic fixture so well that they smashed the recent crowd records at Bootham Crescent.
What Ford’s men did on the pitch sold the club even more. There really is a genuine feeling of going places.
“I told you we’d win,” stated Ford afterwards, still slightly angry that he’d even been asked.
Just think – this time last year, the old hierarchy had called off the opening fixture of the Super 8s under the threat of closing down the club. Many fans had left, players were about follow suit. What the new broom has brought is pretty astonishing.
Ford made six changes in personnel to the side that nilled Workington in the last of the regular season fixtures.
Skipper Ed Smith was ruled out with his knee injury – fears are growing his season is over – and into the second-row came the wonderfully-named Zeus Silk for his debut after his deadline day arrival on loan from Hull. He played like he had been here all season.
Also on debut was on loan Hull KR centre Jake Butler-Fleming – James Haynes dropping to the bench despite his hat-trick heroics against Worky. The Aussie showed plenty of class and scored a debut try too.
Dual-reg boys Liam Harris, fit again, and Kieran Moran, after his ban, were back at stand-off and prop respectively, while front-rowers Chris Siddons and Ronan Dixon also returned. The packmen worked so hard; Harris was a constant livewire, simply a joy to watch.
Out went Mitch Clark, Graeme Horne and George Lawler, who have all returned to Hull KR after their brief dual-reg switch, half-back Harry Tyson-Wilson and hooker Andy Ellis. The latter’s absence meant Ford trusted Will Jubb as the sole hooker. And why not?
Toronto may or may not have made changes – either way they had a team which, on paper, should be competing in the Middle Eights at least, never mind League One.
To add to the disbelief, Ford only used 16 men. Haynes was not needed.
York asked all the early questions. Two knock-ons and three penalties kept play in the visitors’ half, with the Wolfpack on a team warning too.
Then the noise went up several notches.
Ash Robson burst onto the scene and, while his pass was loose, Butler-Fleming scooped it up wonderfully well and skipped past full-back Quentin Laulu Togagae.
Toronto only got into York’s first half after the restart and immediately showed their threat, denied a clear chance only by a forward pass.
Then came more noise.
QLT, under pressure, dropped the ball 40 metres from his own line, and Harris picked it up and cruised to the sticks.
Ryan Brierley was sin-binned for dissent before the restart. The Wolfpack were clearly rattled.
The 12 men went close, though, on the back of their first penalty – big Jack Bussey unceremoniously held up.
Two more penalties gave them another chance, as did a lucky ricochet.
But York broke out, big Adam Robinson on the charge – a quarter-chance offload to Harris going to ground.
In the reverse clash, York were blown away by 10 tries in 27 minutes either side of half-time.
There was no sign of that here. Indeed, it was the Knights who so nearly extended their lead, Jubb reaching over from dummy-half, only for the try to be disallowed for a double movement.
Then they did score again.
Harris bamboozled everyone so much that he almost bamboozled himself before breaking through and somehow evading the full-back. More noise than even before.
Connor Robinson added his third conversion and the Knights were 18-0 up on the half-time hooter.
Chants of “Oo are yer?” as the Wolfpack left the field. More noise as the Knights went into the changing rooms.
The interval came too soon, though.
The Knights were seemingly still in the sheds when Brierley scored a simple try at the sticks, Craig Hall converting.
Then, when an attack broke down, Brierley’s kick forced a dropout. Out came the offloads and Bob Beswick dummied in from dummy-half, Hall goaling.
Surely here came the inevitable game-changing Wolfpack onslaught.
Not so. Ford sent pack leader Tim Spears back on. Immediately the Knights looked better, soon forcing a dropout.
However, when Connor Robinson spotted a gap and tried to kick in behind, it was picked off and out came the Wolfpack again. Hall thought he had scored but, like Jubb, was penalised for a double movement.
Then the Knights looked sure to cross – Joe Batchelor striding through only to be ankle-tapped with the whitewash otherwise at his mercy.
Ash Robson was held up over the line, too, while a Robinson dab saw the defence just get to the ball first.
They did eke their lead up, though, after Robson, dashing and darting, won a penalty for a high shot, Robinson obliging.
Bussey’s foul also went on report. There had been a few other dirty old tricks from the Wolfpack that escaped censure.
However, the Wolfpack immediately hit back – and it was a wholly avoidable try.
Connor Robinson risked an offload in his own half and it ended in the visitors’ hands.
Robson got back to halt Kay, but from the play-the-ball, former Super League centre Hall went on the short side and left Brad Hey punching the ground in frustration as he broke his tackle to touch down.
Hall’s conversion hit a post, leaving it 20-16.
Toronto were soon down to 12 men for another 10 minutes, though. Bussey, playing on the edge of the rules all day, was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Silk.
The Knights went so close – desperate defence just denying Joe Porter.
Then came more noise even than before.
Harris was again the creator with a dummy and one-handed pass. Butler-Fleming was up there with him and he sent Connor Robinson diving over the whitewash. The scrum-half goaled and it was 26-16 with 10 minutes left.
Most teams usually need lots of fortune to pull off such a massive shock result as this. The Knights were far from reliant on Lady Luck but she smiled on them when a cut-out pass gave Jonny Pownall an easy finish down the wing – only for the Wolfpack winger to inexplicably bounce the ball down.
The clock ticked down. The Wolfpack were desperate. They lost their ball in their own half. Robson had sight of the try-line but was pulled back by a forward pass.
One try could yet have changed the game. However, Hall’s dab, with team-mates in space, was far too strong and the ball ran dead.
With it went their hopes. The Wolfpack will still march to promotion, but York will always be the team to have spoiled their perfect record, on a frankly brilliant day at Bootham Crescent.
Good to see York still going and at a proper ground again, the last time I saw them (1994 'ish) they played at an athletics stadium so the pitch was a long way from the stand.Toronto lose their first league game - and what a crowd (2,600) for a third division fixture!
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/1..._Toronto_Wolfpack_____and_end_perfect_record/
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
York City Knights' Will Jubb looks up at the referee only for his 'try' to be chalked off. Picture: Gordon Clayton
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
Knights' Nev Morrison is halted by Toronto Wolfpack’s James Laithwaite as Bob Beswick closes in. Picture: Gordon Clayton
REPORT: York City Knights stun Toronto Wolfpack – and end perfect record
York City Knights' Liam Harris races clear to score his second try against Toronto. Picture: Gordon Clayton
YORK City Knights coach James Ford was asked before kick off what the target was for the game, how many points did they want to keep Toronto down to.
The Knights, after all, were playing against a full-time team bursting with NRL, Super League and top-end Championship experience. A moneybags team who had swept all before them in Kingstone Press League One, including York 64-22 in Canada. A club who are expected to breeze to promotion in this tier and the tier above.
Ford looked back with a steely, slightly annoyed look. “What? We want to win.”
Most rugby league fans up and down the country, on the other side of the Atlantic too, may have scoffed.
What followed, though, was arguably the best, most notable result not only of this season or under this new regime, but probably in the history of the club since they were reborn in 2002. Probably for decades before that too.
The Knights won 26-16. The Wolfpack lost their unbeaten record, their invincible tag ripped up.
Andy Gomersall, who has been watching York for 69 years, who hasn’t missed a game in 19 years, was asked what he could remember surpassing this as a shock result.
“I recall us beating Leeds in the second round of the cup in 1958, and Leeds were really strong then.”
The new regime had sold the transatlantic fixture so well that they smashed the recent crowd records at Bootham Crescent.
What Ford’s men did on the pitch sold the club even more. There really is a genuine feeling of going places.
“I told you we’d win,” stated Ford afterwards, still slightly angry that he’d even been asked.
Just think – this time last year, the old hierarchy had called off the opening fixture of the Super 8s under the threat of closing down the club. Many fans had left, players were about follow suit. What the new broom has brought is pretty astonishing.
Ford made six changes in personnel to the side that nilled Workington in the last of the regular season fixtures.
Skipper Ed Smith was ruled out with his knee injury – fears are growing his season is over – and into the second-row came the wonderfully-named Zeus Silk for his debut after his deadline day arrival on loan from Hull. He played like he had been here all season.
Also on debut was on loan Hull KR centre Jake Butler-Fleming – James Haynes dropping to the bench despite his hat-trick heroics against Worky. The Aussie showed plenty of class and scored a debut try too.
Dual-reg boys Liam Harris, fit again, and Kieran Moran, after his ban, were back at stand-off and prop respectively, while front-rowers Chris Siddons and Ronan Dixon also returned. The packmen worked so hard; Harris was a constant livewire, simply a joy to watch.
Out went Mitch Clark, Graeme Horne and George Lawler, who have all returned to Hull KR after their brief dual-reg switch, half-back Harry Tyson-Wilson and hooker Andy Ellis. The latter’s absence meant Ford trusted Will Jubb as the sole hooker. And why not?
Toronto may or may not have made changes – either way they had a team which, on paper, should be competing in the Middle Eights at least, never mind League One.
To add to the disbelief, Ford only used 16 men. Haynes was not needed.
York asked all the early questions. Two knock-ons and three penalties kept play in the visitors’ half, with the Wolfpack on a team warning too.
Then the noise went up several notches.
Ash Robson burst onto the scene and, while his pass was loose, Butler-Fleming scooped it up wonderfully well and skipped past full-back Quentin Laulu Togagae.
Toronto only got into York’s first half after the restart and immediately showed their threat, denied a clear chance only by a forward pass.
Then came more noise.
QLT, under pressure, dropped the ball 40 metres from his own line, and Harris picked it up and cruised to the sticks.
Ryan Brierley was sin-binned for dissent before the restart. The Wolfpack were clearly rattled.
The 12 men went close, though, on the back of their first penalty – big Jack Bussey unceremoniously held up.
Two more penalties gave them another chance, as did a lucky ricochet.
But York broke out, big Adam Robinson on the charge – a quarter-chance offload to Harris going to ground.
In the reverse clash, York were blown away by 10 tries in 27 minutes either side of half-time.
There was no sign of that here. Indeed, it was the Knights who so nearly extended their lead, Jubb reaching over from dummy-half, only for the try to be disallowed for a double movement.
Then they did score again.
Harris bamboozled everyone so much that he almost bamboozled himself before breaking through and somehow evading the full-back. More noise than even before.
Connor Robinson added his third conversion and the Knights were 18-0 up on the half-time hooter.
Chants of “Oo are yer?” as the Wolfpack left the field. More noise as the Knights went into the changing rooms.
The interval came too soon, though.
The Knights were seemingly still in the sheds when Brierley scored a simple try at the sticks, Craig Hall converting.
Then, when an attack broke down, Brierley’s kick forced a dropout. Out came the offloads and Bob Beswick dummied in from dummy-half, Hall goaling.
Surely here came the inevitable game-changing Wolfpack onslaught.
Not so. Ford sent pack leader Tim Spears back on. Immediately the Knights looked better, soon forcing a dropout.
However, when Connor Robinson spotted a gap and tried to kick in behind, it was picked off and out came the Wolfpack again. Hall thought he had scored but, like Jubb, was penalised for a double movement.
Then the Knights looked sure to cross – Joe Batchelor striding through only to be ankle-tapped with the whitewash otherwise at his mercy.
Ash Robson was held up over the line, too, while a Robinson dab saw the defence just get to the ball first.
They did eke their lead up, though, after Robson, dashing and darting, won a penalty for a high shot, Robinson obliging.
Bussey’s foul also went on report. There had been a few other dirty old tricks from the Wolfpack that escaped censure.
However, the Wolfpack immediately hit back – and it was a wholly avoidable try.
Connor Robinson risked an offload in his own half and it ended in the visitors’ hands.
Robson got back to halt Kay, but from the play-the-ball, former Super League centre Hall went on the short side and left Brad Hey punching the ground in frustration as he broke his tackle to touch down.
Hall’s conversion hit a post, leaving it 20-16.
Toronto were soon down to 12 men for another 10 minutes, though. Bussey, playing on the edge of the rules all day, was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle on Silk.
The Knights went so close – desperate defence just denying Joe Porter.
Then came more noise even than before.
Harris was again the creator with a dummy and one-handed pass. Butler-Fleming was up there with him and he sent Connor Robinson diving over the whitewash. The scrum-half goaled and it was 26-16 with 10 minutes left.
Most teams usually need lots of fortune to pull off such a massive shock result as this. The Knights were far from reliant on Lady Luck but she smiled on them when a cut-out pass gave Jonny Pownall an easy finish down the wing – only for the Wolfpack winger to inexplicably bounce the ball down.
The clock ticked down. The Wolfpack were desperate. They lost their ball in their own half. Robson had sight of the try-line but was pulled back by a forward pass.
One try could yet have changed the game. However, Hall’s dab, with team-mates in space, was far too strong and the ball ran dead.
With it went their hopes. The Wolfpack will still march to promotion, but York will always be the team to have spoiled their perfect record, on a frankly brilliant day at Bootham Crescent.
A day of shocks, even Workington won!
bodes well leading up to the 2025 RLWC. Hopefully those nations will inspire the USA to grow the game more in the backyard too..
Go easy Guys... Workington Town was my team when growing up! Sewed the seeds of hunger for future success at Warriors.Good to see York still going and at a proper ground again, the last time I saw them (1994 'ish) they played at an athletics stadium so the pitch was a long way from the stand.
A day of shocks, even Workington won!
Ahhhhh, those days....
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/09/10/toronto-closer-english-super-league
Toronto closer to English Super League
Toronto Wolfpack are a major step closer to earning a berth in England's Super League after securing promotion to the Championship.
It is mission accomplished for Toronto Wolfpack who have secured promotion to the Kingstone Press Championship at the first attempt to move a step closer to Super League.
The Canadian newcomers maintained their 100 per cent home record in League 1, the third tier of English domestic rugby league, by defeating second-placed Barrow 26-2 in front of a season-best crowd of 7,972 at the Lamport Stadium.
Captain Craig Hall, who kicked five goals to take his points tally for the year to 416, was presented with the League 1 trophy at the end of the Wolfpack's penultimate match of their inaugural season to spark the celebrations.
The Toronto club have dropped just three points in their 21 league matches, all in the Super 8s, and are now expected to step up their recruitment ahead of an assault on Super League.
Paul Rowley's men were forced to work much harder for their second win over the Raiders, who were hammered 70-2 in Toronto in May and will join their victors in the Championship if they win a four-team play-off to determine the second promotion place.
Toronto led only 8-0 at half-time, full-back Quentin Laulu-Togagae scoring the only try, and Barrow half-back Lewis Charnock cut the deficit to six points with a penalty early in the second half.
However, quickfire tries from Blake Wallace and Richard Whiting ended any hope of a shock and Wallace added a second on the hour.
Toronto closer to English Super League
Toronto Wolfpack are a major step closer to earning a berth in England's Super League after securing promotion to the Championship.
It is mission accomplished for Toronto Wolfpack who have secured promotion to the Kingstone Press Championship at the first attempt to move a step closer to Super League.
The Canadian newcomers maintained their 100 per cent home record in League 1, the third tier of English domestic rugby league, by defeating second-placed Barrow 26-2 in front of a season-best crowd of 7,972 at the Lamport Stadium.
Captain Craig Hall, who kicked five goals to take his points tally for the year to 416, was presented with the League 1 trophy at the end of the Wolfpack's penultimate match of their inaugural season to spark the celebrations.
The Toronto club have dropped just three points in their 21 league matches, all in the Super 8s, and are now expected to step up their recruitment ahead of an assault on Super League.
Paul Rowley's men were forced to work much harder for their second win over the Raiders, who were hammered 70-2 in Toronto in May and will join their victors in the Championship if they win a four-team play-off to determine the second promotion place.
Toronto led only 8-0 at half-time, full-back Quentin Laulu-Togagae scoring the only try, and Barrow half-back Lewis Charnock cut the deficit to six points with a penalty early in the second half.
However, quickfire tries from Blake Wallace and Richard Whiting ended any hope of a shock and Wallace added a second on the hour.
Toronto is a great news story, as long as they are able to back it up with a strategy to grow the game at grass roots level in Canada and hence produce their own players over time. If the WC 2025 is staged in North America that will help a lot
Am I a pessimist in saying this is more a comment on the lowering standard of the English game rather than the increasing standard in Canada?
Toronto have done what other start up clubs have done in the past (Fulham, Carlisle and Cardiff come to mind) by signing established players who are too good for the competition. The likes of Moi Moi and Whiting are much too good for what is the third tier of pro RL. The test will be getting a strong a local competition going to produce enough of their own players to make it sustainable. Great start though, attendances are particularly encouraging
This is the key point - they need to develop a schools and feeder programme so they are not dependant upon UK/Aussie/Kiwi exports in the longer term.
However, its currently great marketing, and could lead to clubs in New York and Chicago following in their footsteps.
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