By Megan Wellens at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
Last Updated: 01/03/26 03:05
Leeds Rhinos produced a statement performance in Las Vegas as Maika Sivo crossed four times in a 56-8 rout of Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium.
A crowd of 35,500 watched Leeds dominate from the outset, racing into a 28-0 half-time lead. Sivo scored twice in the first 20 minutes, barging over in the 11th and 16th, and Brodie Croft, Keenan Palasia and Ryan Hall also touched down before the break. Jake Connor marshalled the attack, landing four of five conversions and pinning Hull KR deep with a vital 40/20 that led to Croft’s first-half try.
Sivo’s early double set the tone, with Croft adding his first seven minutes later after Connor’s clever territorial kick. Palasia powered past Tyrone May to make it 21-0, and Sivo then broke from a short drop-out to help create the try that sent Ryan Hall under the posts for 28-0 at half-time. Hull KR thought they had responded when Jez Litten went over, but the try was disallowed for obstruction.
Leeds kept up the pressure after the break. Croft grabbed a second on 51 minutes before Tom Davies’ knock-on presented Sivo with his third, converted by Connor to make it 40-0. Joe Burgess eventually gave Hull KR a consolation score, but Sivo completed his four-try haul as Leeds extended the margin to 46-6. Cooper Jenkins added a late brace, with Chris Hankinson converting to finish the scoring at 56-8.
Hull KR, who entered the season as newly crowned World Club champions after beating Brisbane Broncos, were well below par and remain without a Super League win after two rounds. Errors and poor defensive reads repeatedly cost them against a clinical Leeds side.
Sivo, named player of the match, said: “We focused all week to come here and make a statement and we did it. Everyone did their job. As a winger it’s my job to finish those opportunities, and Brad (Arthur) has been strict with me — like a father figure — so it’s good to have that support. We’ll take it week by week and aim to keep getting wins.”
Key facts
– Final score: Leeds Rhinos 56, Hull KR 8
– Maika Sivo: 4 tries
– Brodie Croft: 2 tries
– Ryan Hall, Keenan Palasia, Cooper Jenkins (2): tries
– Joe Burgess: Hull KR try
– Jake Connor: 4 conversions (from 5), influential playmaker; produced a crucial 40/20
– Attendance: 35,500
2026 Super League — upcoming dates to note
– Super League 30th birthday: Thu Mar 26 — Castleford vs Bradford
– Rivals Round: Apr 3–5
– Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6 — Catalans vs Wigan
– Magic Weekend: July 4–5
– Elimination Play-offs: Sep 19–20; Semi-finals: Sep 26–27; Grand Final: Oct 3 (Old Trafford)
Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League game live this season, with exclusive coverage and additional streaming via Sky Sports+.