#SuddenDeathSaturday – Toronto vs Featherstone - All or Nothing?

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This Saturday, two Championship sides will face off for the right to play in Super League next year. We had the same situation this time last year where there was a surprise, in that underdogs London won.

This year the surprise is that it is Featherstone in the final! The narrative is that Featherstone have nothing to lose. But don’t buy that for a second! This is Featherstone’s best opportunity to get back into the top-flight since they were relegated in 1995.


Featherstone have reached Grand Finals in the Championship in the wilderness years and in fact won it in 2011. Unfortunately for them, this was at a time when Super League’s competing teams was decided off the field rather than on it.

So for Featherstone, this is an opportunity of which they have not seen the likes of in 24 years. And if they do not take it, who knows when another opportunity will arise?

Yes, they were not expected to get this far. Yes, they probably haven’t budgeted or planned for life in the Super League. But nothing to lose? Not a chance!

If Toronto lose on Saturday, the likelihood is that they will have another chance next year. What they have that other sides do not have is expectation. Their spend and playing roster suggests that they should already be a Super League team.

Some reports suggest that their budget for one player is greater than the entire Featherstone squad. Maybe take that one with a pinch of salt! But you get the picture!
Last year, Toronto lost at home against the odds to miss out on promotion. If that happens for a second year in a row, then make no mistake, that will be a huge disappointment for them.
The pressure is all on Toronto. A bigger budget, big name players and a winning streak stretching back to March. In Brian McDermott, they have a coach with a track record of delivering big wins. Similarly, they have players in their squad that have played in and won Super League Grand Finals. They know how to get it done.

In all likelihood, Toronto will win this game. But based on league positions, Leigh, York and Toulouse were supposed to beat Featherstone. They did not.
Featherstone will go into the game without fear. They go into the game with the chance to return their small town to the big time. What greater motivation could there be?

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