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Toronto coach Brian McDermott could hold the key to success when the Wolfpack take on Featherstone Rovers with promotion to Betfred Super League at stake.

The two clubs - and locations - could not be more polar opposites.

Featherstone is a traditional club from a town where everyone there supports them, while Toronto is this expansionists’ vision that is seven hours from the sport’s heartlands - by plane.

Both would add their own qualities to Super League should they win the Million Pound Game in Canada.

First of all what a story Rovers have been over the last month to finish fifth and win three games away from home to get here.

(Image: Featherstone Rovers)

It’s something that we did while I was playing at Leeds, but we were full-time and that was all we had to focus on - a lot of these blokes have day jobs to worry about too.

To come up with that level of performance away from home three weeks in a row is an incredible achievement by their coaching staff and group of players.

The word on coach Ryan Carr is that he has an excellent future in the game, and the way he’s navigated his players through those three matches is testament to his pedigree.

I’m sure as a group they will be saying there was no point in winning those three matches if they’re not going to win in Toronto - and they have a good record in Canada, having won in 2018 and pushed the Wolfpack close this year.

But I think the experience of Brian McDermott in winning knock-out games will be vital.

(Image: PA)

He knows what to do to get a team ready for a big game perhaps more than any other coach over the last 10 or 15 years.

The experience Mac has of taking pressure off the group will allow key men like Gareth O’Brien to be at their best.

He’s been the stand-out player for them this season and I know from first hand experience what he can do in Million Pound Games, having been on the end of his great piece of skill for Salford in 2016.

This season Toronto have represented Brian McDermott with their style - they play with ball and are difficult to defend against, but they’re disciplined as well.

Featherstone have been fantastic over the last few weeks but this might be one game too far.

Throw in their part-time status and the travel schedule and I think the Wolfpack could pull away in the closing stages.

(Image: Betfred)