Why Rhinos forward Thompson reckons Toronto were good for Super League

Thompson was a try scorer when Toronto clinched promotion by beating Featherstone Rovers in last year’s Championship Grand Final and played in five of their six Super League fixtures before the sport was suspended in March. He joined Rhinos on a short-term deal in August, after the Canadian club withdrew from this year’s competition. Along with St Helens, Catalans Dragons and the RFL, Rhinos backed readmitting Wolfpack to the top-flight for 2021. Warrington Wolves abstained, but the other clubs voted against, as did Super League chief executive Robert Elstone. Thompson said: “Seeing how good it was over there, there were 10,000-plus at most games I played in last year, it is sad to see they are not getting back in. “It is a massive blow, I reckon, to the sport in general.” But the New Zealand-born 32-year-old, who has also played in this country for Leigh Centurions and Warrington admitted: “At the same time, I can see where it comes from. “David [Argyle, the club’s former owner] not paying the players and them pulling out of the season puts everyone at Super League in a tough position, but it is sad because there’s so much potential over there. “Seeing how good they can be and how good the start of the season was, marketing-wise, it was crazy, but we’ve just got to see what happens and what comes of it. “Hopefully they’ll get another shot somewhere down the path.” Thompson signed a three-year contract extension with Toronto earlier this year, but a longer stay at Leeds could now be an option. Of his future, he insisted: “I have got a few things up my sleeve, so it’s not too concerning in that kind of sense. “I’ve just got to wait and see what happens with that kind of stuff, but it will sort itself out.” Thompson has made a big impression at Leeds and the feeling is mutual. “The whole club has been so welcoming,” he said. “Obviously it has been a bit tough lately, with what has been going on, but we are lucky to have such a big squad and heaps of experience and also young fellas who can fill in when need-be. “It has been awesome, the last two months has been really good.” Thompson was part of the Rhinos team which lost to St Helens on October 23, beat Castleford Tigers on October 26, lost to Wakefield Trinity on October 29 and avenged that result three days later. He was on the field for most of all four games, but played down his huge effort and the toll it has taken. “I am all good,” he said. “It is one of those things, people run marathons and they do a lot more k’s than we do. “I know there’s not as much brute force as in contact sport, but still our body is capable of so much more than you think it is. “I have always had that mindset, your body can always do so much more so I just crack on and do what needs to be done.” Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United, With a digital subscription, you see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.

'A massive blow' - Leeds Rhinos' Bodene Thompson says Super League poorer without Toronto Wolfpack