Josh McCrone: ‘Toronto’s ambitions are to be a successful Super League team’

Toronto Wolfpack star Josh McCrone says Toronto Wolfpack’s long-term plan is to be a successful club in the Betfred Super League.

The Canadian outfit, who the first ever professional transatlantic sports team, gained promotion from League 1 to the Championship in their inaugural season in 2017.

Paul Rowley’s Wolfpack started the Betfred Championship season in fine fashion, beating title rivals Leigh Centurions 34-12 at the Leigh Sports Village last weekend.

And McCrone, who joined Toronto from Canberra Raiders in the off-season, says the aim this year is to be promoted into the top-flight, with their long-term ambition being a successful Super League side.

He told loverugbyleague.com: “We want to be as successful as we can and win as many games as we can and ultimately get into Super League – there’s no hiding that fact.

“We have got plenty of experience and we have recruited reasonably well, not including myself, but I think we have got enough experience and talent in the team to challenge for a spot in Super League and that’s what we want to do.

“It’s a good challenge for me with where I am at in my career at the moment and it’s a challenge to try and get promoted into Super League and do something special with this group. They started at the bottom and they have got themselves to the Championship and carry on with that momentum and go forward.

“Our ambitions are to be a successful Super League team and they are not just ambitions, they are realistic goals with the way we look at them. We are excited by those and we want to fulfil them.”

Toronto are based in Manchester until May so McCrone hasn’t had the chance to go and experience the Canadian city yet but he says is looking forward to exploring North America.

He added: “The boys have told me stories about how good the atmosphere is in Toronto, not just the games, but the whole city so I’m excited to get over there and experience it.

“I like the NFL and the Denver Broncos, I don’t mind the NBA either – I’m a Boston Celtics fan, but obviously I’m part of the Toronto Wolfpack now so we’ll have to jump on the (Toronto) Raptors bandwagon there. I haven’t seen too much ice hockey but I’m excited to see that, too, and you’ve got the Blue Jays baseball as well.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring my family over and experience parts of Europe and North America.”