Leeds Rhinos continued their formidable run in the Betfred Super League, securing an emphatic 34-8 victory over reigning champions Hull KR at Headingley. The match saw Fiji international Maika Sivo extend his remarkable try-scoring form, crossing the whitewash twice to bring his seasonal tally to 27 tries. This performance contributed to Leeds' fifth consecutive win, propelling them two points clear at the top of the league table.
Sivo's tries, one either side of the half-time break, were part of an unbroken nine-game scoring spree, highlighting his crucial role in the Rhinos' success. Chris Hankinson opened the scoring for Leeds, while Jake Connor added two penalties in the first half. Hull KR's Rhyse Martin was sent to the sin-bin during a challenging first half for the Robins, which saw Leeds establish an 18-2 lead. Despite Noah Booth's try for Hull KR in the second half, further scores from Connor and Ash Handley sealed a dominant win for the home side.
The victory was particularly significant for Leeds, coming just a week after a decisive 34-6 win against Warrington Wolves in another top-of-the-table clash. Beyond the on-field action, the event held emotional resonance as Leeds' annual Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Awareness game. Tributes were paid to the late Rob Burrow, the Rhinos legend who passed away in 2024 at the age of 41 after battling the disease, creating a poignant atmosphere at Headingley.
For Hull KR, the defeat compounds a challenging period, coming only three days after the announcement that Nathan Cayless will replace head coach Willie Peters at the end of the season. Peters is set to depart for the National Rugby League expansion club Papua New Guinea Chiefs. The Robins also contended with significant injury setbacks during the game, with Tom Amone and Dean Hadley sustaining head injuries in intense opening exchanges, and Hadley subsequently ruled out of next week's derby against Hull FC.
Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur praised his team's 'bravery' and 'dominance in the collision' area, particularly in the context of the MND awareness round. Hull KR coach Willie Peters acknowledged his team's initial intent and physicality despite the early adversity and expressed 'pride' in their efforts against what he described as 'the best in the comp'.