No they’re not. In the same way as Tomkins isn’t classed as overseas for Catalans.

Even if they are what does that matter for a new franchise? The alternative is that the money given to SL clubs from the TV is cut by 3/4’s and that money is spent on creating and growing a massive network of amateur clubs that grow into semi-pro and finally professional clubs in Canada.

Now if you’re happy for every SL club to give up £1.5m a year, every year for 40 years then that’s a potential alternative. However given the modern nature of media and people leisure habits I would say that’s much more risky than trying to engage people in Canada with a successful team that costs the game very little over here. In fact SL clubs will profit from having Toronto in the league.

So you agree there ground doesn't comply to the minimum standards set by the RFL

Seems I am one of the few who want to see them succeed, but I wouldn't go as far as saying they're sustainable, certainly not just yet.

Yea and I don't care. It will still be way better than a visit to Wakefield.

Me neither. Then again, I worry about the sustainability of plenty other clubs too.

even maintaining their current attendances would put them firmly in the mid table of superleague clubs, and many are new to RL, so they're already bringing something more to the game

It will be interesting to see how Canadians react to possibility/reality that they will lose much more home games next season, than in the previous 3 years. I am looking forward to this.....

So far Toronto has been a success.

The test will come when reality hits and mid-table mediocrity sets in or worse, relegation.

Some clubs can survive this, but not all can.
The distance is a challenge, not from a fan point of view. (many away attendances are so small now anyway). But from a player and club perspective. If Torontos additional also adds much needed finance to the game then clubs will bear the additional travel costs.

If after 2 years clubs are no better off in real terms, then you can see clubs having to call it a day travelling all thst way. You can't see Toronto bank rolling the entire leagues travel costs indefinitely.

Personally I want it to succeed. You could argue for a promotion with no relegation next year if the marketing side works and another growth club is on the cusp of promotion.

No harm in a double promotion to 14 teams.

Well done Toronto welcome to Super league, finally something different than the usual stuff year in year out. Apart from the worrying off field issues with Court cases for not paying companys i'm happy as pie they're in Super league.
I can't see a big change in personnel at all i think 2-3 out with the same number coming in.
Can't wait to see if i can afford the away match at their stadium

It will be much easier for them to attract crowds, sponsorship, TV coverage, players and media interest now they are in the top grade.
It has been a remarkable effort to fund the side and attract a good fan base in an area where the game was unknown while playing in semi professional comps.
Now they have a professional side in a professional comp, and thanks to their efforts of the last few years, they have already developed a fanbase.
Next year they will be able to access TV coverage of away games of broadcast quality, and they should be able to get that on local TV, so that alone will get in fans and sponsorship they haven't dreamed of till now.
I think they have done the hard bit.
Now the people they have had to chase for 3 or 4 years will be knocking at their door, looking to jump on the bandwagon.

I agree that Toronto only needs two or three quality players to succeed in Super League. At least one of the new players must be a top quality half back and at least one a top quality prop to replace Ashton Sims, who is retiring.

If I was the coach of Toronto I would be looking closely at Ryley Jacks, formerly at Melbourne Storm, and currently at the Gold Coast Titans, where he is dealing with a lot of competition for the scrum half position. A good thing about Ryley Jacks is that he qualifies to play for Canada, because his father was born there. (Ryley's brother played for Toronto in its first year).

The club might even consider Josh Dugan to play at full back, since he is likely to be released by Cronulla, which is under salary cap pressure.

However the choice of a quality scrum half and at least one quality prop will be most crucial for Toronto's success in 2020.

They need a helluva lot more than 2-3 players with that side I watched Sunday night.