When a rugby league side hits a vein of form and everything seems to click, the spotlight inevitably falls on the two players wearing the numbers six and seven. These are the scrum‑half and the stand‑off, the half‑back pairing that orchestrates the attack and dictates the tempo. Their influence is equally scrutinised when a team hits a slump; pundits and fans alike start questioning whether the partnership is delivering, whether their kicking and passing are on target, and whether a different combination might spark a revival.
After nine rounds of the 2026 Super League, the table is tightly packed. Leeds sit at the summit with just four points separating them from Catalans, who sit in seventh place. Warrington Wolves and Hull Kingston Rovers occupy third and fifth spots respectively, each with a game in hand that could propel them even higher.
The prevailing narrative of the season has been one of free‑flowing rugby – faster play‑the‑balls, higher scoring rates and a greater emphasis on attacking flair. In such an environment, the half‑backs become the chief architects, the players who bark the orders and steer their squads around the park.
The central question is whether the teams that sit at the top of the table are being propelled there by the quality of their half‑back duos. Can Leeds attribute a large part of its early dominance to the partnership of Jake Connor and Brodie Croft?
If so, what specific attributes of that pairing are clicking? Conversely, can a side like St Helens maintain its consistency by rotating half‑backs – as it has done with Jackson Hastings working alongside George Whitby, Jonny Lomax and Tristan Sailor – and still keep the results flowing? Sky Sports Rugby League’s own analysts have taken a deep dive into the performances of the league’s half‑back pairings and produced a ranking of the most effective duos. Among the voices is former player Jodie Cunningham, who highlighted the impact of the Wigan pairing of Harry Smith and Bevan French.
"Smith and French have barely featured together for Wigan this season and both are currently unavailable," she noted. "You can clearly see the impact of Smith’s absence, and we know how much French contributes when he’s on the field. Smith gives French the freedom to be a maverick, to run his own game.
While we have to discount them for now, I would argue that once they’re back together their combined influence could be the biggest in the league. Their current struggles reflect that missing link." Cunningham then turned her attention to the Hull KR half‑backs, suggesting they may be exerting more influence than the Leeds duo at this stage. She explained that Lachie Miller, Hull KR’s full‑back, plays a pivotal role in enabling Leeds to move the ball and score points, thereby reducing the pressure on Brodie Croft to create tries. "Miller’s nine try assists put him right up there with the league’s best, surpassing Connor’s eight and Croft’s three," she said.
"His contribution is the final piece of the puzzle, which is why I placed Lewis and May above Connor and Croft – they take on more control, pressure and influence, especially given they don’t have the same impact from full‑back." The analysis continued with a breakdown of individual statistics. Jack Broadbent, another Hull KR player, has been impressive, but Cunningham believes his influence is eclipsed by Miller’s on Leeds.
She highlighted that Lewis is matching Connor’s try‑assist numbers with eight, while also scoring nine tries himself, and May has added two tries and 13 try assists. "When you look at how their contributions translate into points, you can see they are a proven half‑back pairing," she concluded. Beyond the numbers, the discussion touches on broader tactical trends. The modern game rewards half‑backs who can combine quick, accurate distribution with an incisive kicking game, creating space for their outside backs.
Teams that can blend a structured, textbook approach with moments of individual brilliance tend to dominate the high‑scoring matches that have become the hallmark of 2026. This shift places even greater responsibility on the No 6/No 7 partnership to read the defence, vary their attack and keep the opposition guessing. Looking ahead, the league will continue to broadcast every match live, with two games per round shown exclusively and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+.
As the season progresses, the rankings of half‑back pairings are likely to evolve. Injuries, form fluctuations and tactical adjustments will all play a part in reshaping the hierarchy. What remains clear is that the half‑back duo is the engine room of any successful Super League side, and their ability to click – whether through established chemistry or newly forged partnerships – will be a decisive factor in the race for the title. In summary, while Leeds currently enjoys a strong start, much of that success can be linked to the synergy between Connor and Croft, supported by the creative spark of full‑back Lachie Miller.
Hull KR’s half‑backs, bolstered by the scoring prowess of Lewis and the play‑making of May, present a compelling alternative. As the campaign unfolds, fans and analysts will keep a keen eye on these duos, watching to see which partnership ultimately proves the most influential in shaping the fortunes of their clubs.