Leeds Rhinos 26 Warrington Wolves 22

Leeds Rhinos capped off Super League’s 30^th Birthday celebrations in style as they came back from 12 points down to secure a 26-22 win over Warrington Wolves in round six of the Betfred Super League.

Maika Sivo rediscovered his try-scoring form as the Fijian’s hat trick proved pivotal in helping the Rhinos stay in a closely fought contest. Jack Bird also added a try on his home debut as the Rhinos bounced back to winning ways.

After suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time in 2026, Brad Arthur made a handful of changes from the side that lost out to Hull a week ago. Jack Bird replaced Harry Newman in the starting lineup as the former Brisbane, Cronulla, St George and Wests player made his debut start for the club and first appearance at AMT Headingley since signing. Ryan Hall returned to partner Bird after the winger missed the Hull loss through injury, whilst Tom Holroyd was handed a starting appearance for the first time since starting in the front row against York in round two.

Chris Hankinson and Mikolaj Oledzki dropped down to the bench as they joined Jarrod O’Connor and Cooper Jenkins as Brad Arthur’s substitute options.

Coming off the back of a big win over Castleford in round five, the Wolves hit the ground running as they dominated the majority of the first 40 minutes at AMT Headingley. Both Sam Stone and Kelepi Tanginoa came close to penetrating the Rhinos' defensive line, but Arthur’s side stood strong to keep the visitors at bay.

Having been criticised for their discipline against Hull, an offside call against Croft allowed Warrington to open the scoring as Ewan Irwin stepped up to kick a penalty goal. After chances for Josh Thewlis and Matty Ashton both went begging, the Wolves added a try to their advantage as Thewlis took a pass inside from Danny Walker and outstripped Croft and Tom Holroyd to find the try line for the game’s opening score.

The Rhinos hadn’t been able to muster any attacking ball, whilst the Wolves kept them under the pump as their attack continued. A 40/20 kick from George Williams set Warrington’s attack up as Josh Smith found his way into the corner after quick ball movement through the hands.

Leeds needed a spark to get their attack and after going without a try for the first time in a match last weekend, Sivo came up with two crucial tries before the break to get Leeds back in the match. The Rhinos had done well to thwart another Warrington attack, and as a holding down penalty on Sivo helped Leeds clear their lines, a well-worked set ended in the free-scoring winger finding the corner for his 12^th try of the season.

The Wolves looked to have a reply when James Harrison’s stretch for the line was awarded on the field by referee Jack Smith, but the call was overturned as the prop was judged to have lost the ball on the post pad on his way to the ground. Off the back of good handling from Cameron Smith to intercept a Williams pass, the Rhinos pushed on downfield before Handley fired a brilliant offload out of the back of his hand to put Sivo over for a second try. Connor couldn’t convert, but the Rhinos were still in the game at 12-8 behind.

The winger’s try scoring continued six minutes into the second half as his hat-trick try locked up the score. Ryan Hall’s attempted breakaway couldn’t see the winger get up to speed with Ashton and Thewlis on his heels, but it didn’t prevent the Leeds attack as Sivo provided another finish in the corner. Connor added the conversion as the Rhinos took the first lead of the afternoon.

Warrington refused to lie down and hit back immediately to keep themselves in the contest. Danny Walker had come within a fingernail of grounding a loose ball, but as the Wolves kept pressure on Leeds’ goal line defence, Toby King was posted into a hole and the centre drove low to get to the line.

With the score at 18-14 with 25 minutes to go, the Rhinos were buoyed by the home crowd as they pushed for more points. Sivo couldn’t round Smith for a potential fourth try of the game, but on the opposite side of the field, Bird proved the beneficiary as he got his first try for the club. Croft and McDonnell combined to put the second rower into a hole, and a slick pass from the Perth-bound McDonnell put Bird in range to promote the ball over the line to the joy of the South Stand.

Heading into the final ten minutes, Croft’s sixth try of the season was a relief and a vital gamebreaker as the half-back benefited from a half break by Handley to go under the posts.

A penalty goal from Connor not only extended Leeds’ advantage further, but also proved crucial when Josh Smith touched down in the corner with two minutes to go. Although Irwin was unable to convert from the sideline, the Rhinos needed one last defensive push to hold onto a 26-22 final score.

Teams

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 2. Maika Sivo, 4. Ash Handley, 33. Jack Bird, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Jake Connor, 10. Tom Holroyd, 23. Danny Levi, 13. Keenan Palasia, 11. Kallum Watkins, 12. James McDonnell, 17. Cameron Smith

Subs: 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Jarrod O’Connor, 14. Chris Hankinson, 15. Cooper Jenkins (18^th Man – 20. Presley Cassell)

Tries: Sivo (32, 39, 46), Bird (56), Croft (67)

Goals: Connor 2/5

Penalty Goal: Connor 1/1

Wolves

2. Josh Thewlis, 26. Josh Smith, 3. Toby King, 4. Albert Hopoate, 5. Matty Ashton, 6. George Williams, 18. Ewan Irwin, 8. Luke Yates, 9. Danny Walker, 16. Liam Byrne, 34. Kelepi Tanginoa, 12. Sam Stone, 13. Ben Currie

Subs: 10. James Harrison, 17. Jordy Crowther, 22. Joe Philbin, 35. Lachlan Webster (18^th Man – 25 Max Wood)

Tries: Thewlis (21), Smith (28, 78), King (51)

Goals: Irwin 2/4

Penalty Goals: Irwin 1/1