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(Image: TORONTO WOLFPACK)

The Canadian team starts life in League One this season but hopes to gatecrash Super League within a few years.

The launch of the world’s first Trans-Atlantic professional sports team has been dismissed as a gimmick destined for failure in some quarters.

Other doubters also claim Rugby League’s bosses should concentrate on helping heartland clubs rather than on a brave Toronto gamble.

But coach Rowley, the former Leigh Centurions boss, insists the club will prove they are worth their place in the game.

He said: “Rugby League is a very dog eat dog world and sometimes people are quick to put their foot on your head if you are drowning, rather than give you a hand up.

“We understand that and know we have to stand on our own two feet and the clear message from the start is that we’re prepared to do that.

“If you put a £10 bet on a 200-1 bet your chances are a little less favourable than a 2-1 bet but if you win, you win big.

“These 2-1 bets have been around for 150 years in our game and have continually failed so how long do you persist with them when they’re not working?

“The world has changed and we need to decide if we’re going to change with it or are we going to stay stuck in the doldrums.

“As a game we have to change and the response to us from the public has been fantastic and hopefully we will become everyone’s favourite second team.

“We are keeping people’s spirits up in a pre-season of turmoil for the game. We are the shining light.”

Wolfpack, who have two Canadians, one American and a Jamaican in their 24-man squad, will play blocks of games in England and in Canada.

Former Wakefield star Craig Hall will captain a squad that also includes a host of former Super League and Championship players.

Ex NRL star Fuifui Moimoi is their highest profile signing, while former St Helens and Warrington back Gary Wheeler is hoping to get his career back on track after a catalogue of injuries.

The club’s backers are stumping up the cash for all travel and accommodation expenses of the part-time League One clubs for games in Toronto.

Chief executive Eric Perez yesterday unveiled a three-year sponsorship deal with Canadian airline Airtransat.

He said: “This is the greatest game of all. As we win and inspire people Rugby League will only get bigger in North America.”