Leeds Rhinos’ hearts were broken at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in round six of the Betfred Super League as Keenan Palasia’s late sin-binning allowed Jake Thewlis to score the game-winning try for Warrington Wolves in a 16-14 result.

Super League’s 5000^th game couldn’t have been any better for the neutral fan as both sides delivered a quality contest for the full 80 minutes. In the first half, James McDonnell and Riley Lumb responded to Arron Lindop’s try to give the away side the lead, but despite Ryan Hall’s sixth try of the season, Stefan Ratchford and Thewlis managed to steal the win for Sam Burgess’ side.

Brad Arthur named an unchanged lineup from the Rhinos’ win over Wigan last time out. Skipper Ash Handley’s appearance was the centre’s 200^th Super League game for the club, plus Harry Newman also marked his 100^th Super League appearance by running out at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The Rhinos' bench also remained unchanged.

For the 5000^th game in the Betfred Super League, only a special play could separate the Wolves and Rhinos after a tight start saw both sides go at each other blow for blow. Leeds were handed a golden opportunity to attack the Warrington try line thanks to a knock on from Arron Lindop, but Brodie Croft turned the ball over as he tried a kick in behind. After committing the error, Warrington’s young winger Lindop quickly made amends as he was given time and space to kick over the head of Lachie Miller and finish a solo effort to make the score 6-0 after 11 minutes.

Burgess’ side started to mount pressure off the back of getting the opening score, but Leeds didn’t lie down as James McDonnell replied for the visitors. Much like Lindop’s try, Leeds came away from their own try line to exploit Warrington’s slide defence as Ash Handley snuck an offload to Riley Lumb, who had pace to burn with only the full back to beat. Under pressure from Dufty, the Leeds winger opted to hold the ball instead of kicking ahead for Croft, and it paid off as Croft connected with Jake Connor who put James McDonnell through the line with a short pass for the back rower’s first try of the season to level the score.

The high-quality contest continued as both sides drove upfield from deep in their own half and showcase some entertaining rugby league. More good play from Connor and Handley almost put Lumb over for his first try of the night, only to be short of the line as he reached out. Unlike their early chances, Leeds made sure this chance counted as spine players Croft, Miller and Connor all combined for Connor to fire a pass wide into the hands of Lumb who had a straightforward finish to give Arthur’s side their first lead of the night at 10-6.

Warrington responded in style as Stefan Ratchford came close in a similar effort to Lumb, before Marc Sneyd’s cross-field kick was batted back by Lumb into the arms of Handley, who was taken out of play. Restarting their new set of six metres away from the try line, the Wire had the try line in sight but George Williams’ kick for Lindop didn’t come off as Leeds survived.

With the half about the expire, the Wolves had one last burst to try and level the game at the break, only to be met by resolute Leeds defence that the Rhinos fans have become familiar with in 2025. Connor looked to cap off a perfect personal half with a drop goal, but the ball veered wide of the uprights to make the score 10-6 at the break.

Warrington were roused by Burgess’ half time words as they started the second half with back to back sets. The home side forced a knock on from Lumb from kick off as Yates managed to force the ball free, but chances for Ben Currie and Jake Thewlis both ended thanks to good defence from Leeds, who notably forced Thewlis over the sideline to get the ball back.

As a reward for their defensive efforts, Leeds’ attack started to heat up to extend the lead. Warrington were their own worst enemy as Sneyd’s kick on the last caught all of the Wolves’ chasing players offside, and Ryan Hall took full advantage as he opened up space in the middle to race free. Although Tom Holroyd was there in support but couldn’t make it to the try line, Croft, Miller and Connor once again came to life as they shifted the ball right to Hall, who fittingly finished the move he initially started with an acrobatic leap in the corner. Connor’s conversion struck the crossbar in what would prove to be the deciding moment by full time.

Momentum can shift on the smallest of margins, and Sneyd proved to be the difference maker with his high bomb, which forced a knock-on from Lumb. With the opportunity to apply pressure close to the try line, the Wolves tested the Rhinos’ goal line defence as Miller was forced to intervene with Dufty’s deft kick into the in-goal area before an offside call against Holroyd led to Stefan Ratchford reaching out to the try line to bring the score to within two points.

Two points had proved to be the difference for both sides in their round five victories, and the tension amongst both sets of fans heading into the closing stages could have been cut with a knife. Tensions on the field rose as Keenan Palasia was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Lachlan Fitzgibbon and the extra man proved the difference as Dufty connected with Ratchford to put Thewlis over in the corner for the clinching try. Sneyd missed his first kick of the night, but it was enough for the Wolves to secure the league points with a 16-14 final score.

Teams

Wolves

1. Matt Dufty, 28. Jake Thewlis, 19. Stefan Ratchford, 11. Ben Currie, 33. Arron Lindop, 6. George Williams, 35. Marc Sneyd, 16. Zane Musgrove, 9. Danny Walker, 10. Paul Vaughan, 21. Adam Holroyd, 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 8. James Harrison

Subs: 14. Sam Powell, 13. Luke Yates, 15. Joe Philbin, 24. Max Wood (18^th Man – 26. Dan Russell)

Tries: Lindop (11), Ratchford (62), Thewlis (74)

Goals: Sneyd 2/3

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 23. Riley Lumb, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Ash Handley, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Brodie Croft, 18. Jake Connor, 17. Cooper Jenkins, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 11. James Bentley, 12. James McDonnell, 10. Keenan Palasia

Subs: 19. Tom Holroyd, 20. Jack Sinfield, 16. Morgan Gannon, 15. Sam Lisone (18^th Man – 7. Matt Frawley)

Tries: McDonnell (17), Lumb (26), Hall (49)

Goals: Connor 1/3

Sin Bin: Keenan Palasia (73 – dangerous high contact)