Rhinos extend lead as Sivo injury casts shadow over Super League summit

Leeds Rhinos have moved two points clear at the top of the Super League standings following a decisive victory over Yorkshire rivals Bradford Bulls at Headingley. The win serves as a significant rebound for the Rhinos, who had suffered a surprise defeat to the Castleford Tigers in their previous fixture.

The match was marked by a critical injury to Leeds winger Maika Sivo, the league’s leading try scorer with 29 attempts. Sivo was taken off during the first half after sustaining a suspected broken forearm while making a tackle on the halfway line. Head coach Brad Arthur estimated that the injury could sideline the winger for six to eight weeks, a significant blow to the team's attacking options.

Bradford, who have now lost six of their last seven Super League matches, initially took the lead in the ninth minute through a try by Guy Armitage. However, Leeds responded with resilience, scoring seven tries in total. James McDonnell scored twice on his 100th Super League appearance for the club, while Jake Connor successfully kicked seven conversions from the tee.

The Rhinos' dominance was evident in their ability to capitalize on errors, with tries also coming from Kallum Watkins, Jarrod O'Connor, Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, and Cooper Jenkins. Despite a brief resurgence from Bradford, highlighted by Ethan Ryan scoring on his 200th career appearance, Leeds maintained control to secure the comfortable win.

Bradford Bulls coach Kurt Haggerty attributed the loss to individual errors and a lack of concentration, stating that his team had "gifted" Leeds much of the game's momentum. He emphasized the need for improved focus rather than looking to the loan market for immediate solutions. Leeds coach Brad Arthur praised his team's courage and defensive resilience, noting that while they could have played with more control, they successfully defended their lead.