Leeds Rhinos delivered a strong performance against Hull KR, securing a 34-8 victory at Headingley. The match saw Maika Sivo score two tries, contributing to his season tally in the Super League. This win further solidified Leeds’ position at the top of the league standings.
The game was also Leeds’ annual Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness fixture, featuring tributes to the late Rhinos legend Rob Burrow. His children, Macy, Jackson, and Maya, brought out the match ball to a standing ovation and guard of honour before kick-off. The emotional occasion was marked by a significant crowd, the largest for Leeds in six years.
Chris Hankinson opened the scoring for Leeds, followed by Jake Connor converting two penalties. Sivo then scored his first try, extending Leeds’ lead. Hull KR’s Rhyse Martin was sin-binned shortly before half-time, and Sivo added another try to give the Rhinos an 18-2 lead at the break.
Despite a try from Hull KR’s Noah Booth early in the second half, Leeds continued to dominate. Connor scored a fourth try for Leeds, and Ash Handley completed the scoring, earning his 500th Super League point. This victory marks Leeds’ fifth consecutive win and follows a 34-6 win against Warrington Wolves the previous week.
Rhinos’ strong form and Hull KR’s challenges
Leeds’ win over Hull KR was described as a statement victory, underlining their title credentials. Head coach Brad Arthur praised his team’s bravery, particularly in the context of the MND awareness round. He noted the team’s ability to withstand early pressure and dominate collisions.
For Hull KR, the defeat came just three days after the confirmation that Nathan Cayless will replace head coach Willie Peters at the end of the season. Peters is set to join the Papua New Guinea Chiefs. Hull KR faced additional challenges during the match, with Tom Amone and Dean Hadley clashing heads early on. While Amone returned, Hadley failed his head injury assessment.
Hull KR coach Willie Peters acknowledged the adversity his team faced, including early injuries to front-row players. He expressed pride in his team’s effort for large periods of the game, despite playing against a strong Leeds side. However, he highlighted the impact of turnovers, noting that 13 or 14 errors contributed to their low possession rate and ultimately the scoreline.
The match was intense from the start, with both teams showing physicality. Leeds had previously delivered a 58-6 thrashing of Hull KR in Las Vegas in March. This latest result further emphasizes Leeds’ strong form this season.
Individual performances and league standings
Maika Sivo‘s two tries brought his Super League season total to 27, marking his 15th try in an unbroken nine-game scoring streak. This places him ahead of Lewis Martin‘s tally from last season. Jake Connor also delivered a notable performance, contributing to several tries and scoring one himself.
Connor’s two assists for Hankinson and Sivo’s tries were pivotal in swinging the momentum towards Leeds. His performance has led to discussions about a potential England spot in the upcoming World Cup. After the match, Connor limped off the field, but the victory for Leeds was already secured.
Leeds now holds a two-point lead at the top of the Betfred Super League table and are six points clear of Hull KR. The team’s consistent performance has positioned them as strong contenders for the title. Hull KR, meanwhile, will need to address their injury concerns and performance issues as they prepare for their next fixture.
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Source: bbc.co.uk