I'm not one to jump on the 'anti-RFL' bandwagon, but they've cocked the whole Crusaders thing up in big style.
The move to SL was at least 2-3 years too early. They were building well in South Wales, crowds were small but growing and they had achieved moderate success on the field. There was some ground wandering but options were available - there's hardly a shortage of rugby grounds in the area. Further, South Wales is a sea of oval ball talent - thousands upon thousands of lads who've played with rugby balls since they could walk. The club was laying down foundations and a presence in Wales and beginning to become a strong entity.
I can almost picture Wood and Lewis giddy with excitement when Crusaders applied for SL. "YES! SL in Wales! My position is vindicated!" I was baffled then, and remain baffled, as to how they didn't see it was too early.
Regardless of shady motives behind selling the land in Wrexham, etc, the RFL got a lot to answer for and I think it's a crying shame. A strong club in Wales would be fantastic, and with Welsh blood coming through could have eventually been a real contender.
Fingers crossed South Wales Scorpions will see this as an opportunity for growth and take over where Crusaders left off in 2008.