Howlin' Hour

Episode 39: Ladies, Gentlemen, Boys & Girls.....THE TORONTO WOLFPACK HAVE DONE IT! SUPER LEAGUE PROMOTION! Wolfpack on FIRE! Your defence is terrified! Wolfpack on FIRE! Your defence is terrified!

After a monster arm wrestle in the first half, the Wolfpack went in to the sheds at the break, behind on the scoreboard for the first time this playoff push. But, a massive effort from the entire 17, some silky smooth stepping and persistent pressure saw the Pack get the job done in front of the club's first ever SELL OUT CROWD!

The playoff season is fast drawing to a close around the world as Oldham were crowned League 1 playoff champions, seeing off Newcastle in a close fought encounter. They have earned the right to join Whitehaven in the Betfred Championship for 2020.

The NRL Grand Final wasn't without controversy either as the Chooks of Sydney have won back-to-back 'Ships!

And this weekend, the Super League season comes down to one last push with 80 minutes separating either St. Helens or Salford from glory. Can newly crowned 'Man of Steel', Jackson Hastings, and his band of Red Devils produce one more upset and write their names in history against the odds?

The Community Spotlight travels around the world once more this week featuring the Middle East-Africa Championship, the Alberta Cup in Canada, NZRL National Championship and much more!

So listen in and come run with the Pack once more this Hunting SZN!

Rob tapes a solo podcast the morning after the big win. He discusses his thoughts and feelings on the game, the team, the staff, the fans.

Episode 37: It's official! The Rovers of Featherstone will hop accross the pond to do battle with the mighty Wolfpack of Toronto in the Betfred Championship Playoff Grand Final 2019! The winner earns the right to enter the pinnacle of Rugby League in the Northern Hemisphere, the Super League.

But how did Fev do it? Finishing 5th in the regular season has meant the Rovers have had to play away under knock out conditions in every playoff game. Gareth gets in to the preliminary final victory over Toulouse down in the South of France.

Elsewhere in the Rugby League world, playoff finals are fast approaching too as the Betfred League 1 final between Oldham & Newcastle is set for Sunday 6th Oct; as well as the NRL Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters & Canberra Raiders.

Lots of news from around the wider world of Rugby League as the community spotlight shines in many places this week including: Italy, Jamaica, Canada and more!

So listen in and come run with the Pack this Hunting SZN as we go once more unto the breach, dear friends!

Episode 36: The Two Howlers, Rob & Gareth, breakdown the Wolfpack's comprehensive victory over promotion contenders, Toulouse Olympique, at Lamport this past weekend. With some excellent performances across the squad, and in particular from marquee players like Ricky Leutele, it appears that the Grand Final is very much Toronto's to lose.

That being said, Featherstone may very well have something to say after impressing with a big win over the York City Knights. Fev came in to the playoffs showing good form and with every game for them being a do-or-die situation, they have equipped themselves very handily.

The Community Spotlight shines solely and brightly on Canada this week as the Canada Wolverines & Ravens finished their tour of Bosnia & Serbia with mixed fortunes. Congrats to both though going 4 for 5 on the tour and the efforts they put in. Everyone can be rightly proud of themselves.

The Super League playoffs have kicked off in fine fashion and the guys give their predictions on who they expect to progress to the next round along with who they think will take on Toronto in the Grand Final on October 5th.

So tune in and come run with the Pack this Hunting SZN!

Episode 35: This week the guys dissect the final week of the Super League regular season which saw London relegated after a valiant fight all season. Now attentions turn to the playoffs as Castleford, Warrington, Salford & Wigan get set to face off in Rd.1.

Lots of news from around the world of Rugby League as smaller nations begin their end of season Summer international fixtures with the Canadian Men & Women's teams taking victories in their first fixtures. Historical rivals, Greece & Turkey, faced off too. Will their old feud extend to the footy fields as well?

And, with the Wolfpack getting ready to begin their playoff campaign, somewhat shock news from Robert Elstone and the Super League reveal that nothing is set in stone with regards to promotion in 2020. All this on the eve of the Pack's first game versus rivals, Toulouse Olympique.

Listen in and come run with the Pack this Hunting SZN!

Episode 34: The regular season is over, it's time to get down to business! With a big win over the Leigh Centurions, the Toronto Wolfpack have made a big statement to the rest of the playoff contenders showing a ruthless edge and zen-like calm that only a Buddhist monk could rival in face of such edginess.

Who will the Wolfpack play in Rd.2 of the playoffs; York or Toulouse? And who do we bid farewell too after Rd.1; Leigh or Fev?

Lots of news from around the world of Rugby League as Latvia RL arrange their first ever 13s international against the Welsh Dragonhearts; Ghana RL announce their train on squad for the 2019 MEA Championship; the 2019 NRL playoffs begin this weekend and much MUCH more!

Being a fan in the Super League is a recipe for a heart attack as the London Broncos last minute win against Hull KR keeps their campaign going right down to the last week of the season and four teams are STILL on the chopping block! Who will be going down?

This has to be the most exciting season of League for both the Championship and Super League ever?! So tune in and come run with the Pack this Hunting SZN!

Episode 33: The Wolfpack win their penultimate regular season game against a heavily depleted Barrow Raiders and now turn focus to one final test before the playoff push begins. The remaining 4 playoff teams are finalized for the Championship, but home field advantage is still to play for and could prove crucial some crunch time.

Some upset results in the Super League mean that London Broncos are looking increasingly likely for the drop now as Hull KR & Huddersfield come away with wins over the weekend. Can the Broncs unsettle the apple cart one last time when they take on both the Robbins and Wakey?

Listen in and come run with the Pack this Hunting SZN!

Episode 32: The Wire come away with the underdog upset victory in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley this year, beating out favourites, St. Helens. In the inaugural 1895 Cup final, the Sheffield Eagles came away the victors as Widnes' season of woes continues.

A hearty week of RL news from around the world as the Community Spotlight shines on the USARL 2019 Grand Final this past weekend; the London 9s Rugbye League Fest; Turkey & Greece's upcoming international show down; Argentina & the ongoing Greek RLA saga.

Gareth gives his prediction for the remaining two regular rounds & playoffs for the Championship season - and how finishing in 3rd place for any team may spell disaster when it comes to travel across the Atlantic. So listen in and come run with the Pack this Hunting SZN!

Episode 31: With great sorrow, the Rugby League world awoke this past Sunday morning to news of the passing of Batley Bulldogs young gun, Archie Bruce. We wish Archie's family, friends, the Bulldog's organization and playing squad our deepest sympathies during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Archie.

This week Rob takes some time off for a family holiday but still finds the time to call in for the weekly breakdown of the Wolfpack's laborious victory over bottom ranked Rochdale. And, in a first for the Wolfpack, the game was called off after two temporary suspensions of play due to a threat of lightening in the area.

Newly appointed Club Chairman & Interim CEO, Robert 'Bob' Hunter, takes centre stage this week as the former MLSE exec' comes out of retirement to helm the good ship Wolfpack in to a bright future - and hopefully one in the Super League come 2020! Bob joins the Pack with a lengthy resume and a history of helping to build serous infrastructure, and we cannot wait to see what plans he has for the club over the coming seasons.

The Community Spotlight shines once again on Serbia as Red Star Belgrade announce their application to enter in to the 2020 edition of the Challenge Cup. The Irish Club 13 defeated the Keighley Cougars Reserves with former Canada Wolverine, Denny McCarthy, coming off the interchange to score on his debut. Lastly, the USARL 2019 Grand Final is set for this coming Saturday August 24th, best of luck to both Jacksonville & Brooklyn!

Some surprise results in the Super League mean that for yet another week the relegation dog fight is well and truly alive and FIVE clubs remain squarely in the cross-hairs of relegation. Gareth breaks down the final 3 rounds of the competition and who he thinks is set for the drop.

Three teams have joined the Wolfpack in clinching playoff places for 2019 and THREE more now have a tense battle to see who clinches the final berth. More news of playoff scenarios next episode. It's all to play for!

No game this week for the Wolfpack as the 1895 & Challenge Cup Finals take place on Saturday.

Listen in and come run with the Pack this Hunting SZN!

Episode 30: This week the guys invite special episode guest, Jon Kelly, to sit in an co-host the regular weekly episode as well. Kicking off as usual with a quick review of the Pack's BIG win over #2 ranked team, York City Knights; outside backs Hakim Miloudi & Gaz O'Brien took centre stage in a result that perhaps few would've predicted given York's form of late and their notoriously stingy defence.

Breaking down the latest round of results, JK gives his thoughts and insight in to both the Super League & Championship competitions this season and how competitive each have been.

The Community Spotlight shines on N. America, Albania, Ireland & Wales this week. The teams competing in the USARL 2019 Grand Final have been decided with the Jacksonville Axemen set to face off against Brooklyn Kings. Who will take home the cup this year?

In Albania, a third club has begun it's first steps as the Rugby League welcomes one of it's newest family members: Flamutari RL. In Ireland the 2019 All-Ireland Grand Final has been decided with Longhorns RLC taking home the prize over the Dublin City Exiles. And in Wales the Rhondda Outlaws have won their first Welsh Grand Final beating 9 time victors, the Bridgend Blue Bulls in the 17th installment of the Championship contest.

This weekend the Toronto Wolfpack play host to the Rochdale Hornets who, despite being mathematically relegated to League 1 for 2020, will come with a point to prove and pride on the line.

So listen in and come run with the Pack this Hunting SZN!