Return of the Mac

Toronto Wolfpack have announced former Leeds Coach Brian McDermott as their new head coach , following Paul Rowley’s departure yesterday .

Mac , who won 4 Grand Finals , 2 Challenge Cups a World Club Challenge and a League Leaders Shield in his 8 years as Head Coach at Headingley , will  attempt to guide the club to Super League in 2019 as they just missed out in the Million Pound Game last month .

The 48 year old left  the Rhinos earlier this year as they plummeted towards the middle 8 for the 2nd time in 3 years , they sandwiched another Old Trafford success in between the 2 seasons in the bottom 4 . His major achievement at Headingley was leading the Rhinos to the treble of domestic trophies in 2015 , which included the incredible last second try by Ryan Hall to clinch the shield at Huddersfield .

McDermott links up again with Brian Noble , whom he played under at Bradford , and the Toronto Director of Rugby is looking forward to having Mac on board saying “We are delighted to bring in a head coach of Brian’s calibre, who we believe can lead us to the Super League” .

The former Leeds Coach is relishing the opportunity in the unique Wolfpack venture , telling the clubs website “Toronto Wolfpack offers a challenge and ambition that not many other clubs have, I’m excited on being a part of something that could genuinely be a game changer for rugby league in the UK.”

Rowley will be a tough act to follow as he won 49 out of his 59 games with the Wolfpack , but they will start as clear favourites to claim the automatic promotion spot next year as we enter the new structure , with new signings Jon Wilkin, Gadwin Springer, Bodene Thompson, Joe Mellor  Tom Olbison and Ricky Leutele from the NRL .

Part of the role will involve promoting the sport in North America , his experience Coaching the USA National team will help him with this . He led the USA to the World Cup Finals in Australia last year .