Toronto will not be exempt from relegation, says Robert Elstone

Drew Darbyshire

Super League chief executive Robert Elstone has confirmed that Toronto will not be exempt from relegation should they fail to avoid the drop this season.

The Wolfpack go to Warrington on Friday night in search of their first points in their maiden Super League campaign, having lost their first three matches.

But Elstone insists there would be no reprieve for the Canadian club if they finish bottom, like Catalans received when they entered the competition back in 2006.

Elstone said: “I’m not minded that they should be exempt. I know that makes it very hard for them.

“For me, there are two types of expansion. There is the strategic, planned, structured, logical expansion into an area that has got some heritage versus one that is less structured, less stable and arguably more spurious. I’ve been very consistent on that.

“I think Toronto is in the last category and therefore has to prove to the game that it is a good long-term bet for us. It is still going through that process now.

“If it comes off and it proves to be well founded and there for the long term, that is terrific.

“But, with 26 games to go, I’m sure they’re not thinking about relegation.”

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