When a rugby league side hits a rich vein of form, there are two players who inevitably attract the most attention – the No.6 scrum‑half and the No.7 stand‑off. These half‑backs are the engine room of any team, dictating tempo, distributing the ball and often deciding whether a match swings in their favour. Their influence is just as pronounced when a side is struggling; pundits and fans alike start to question whether the partnership is clicking, if their kicking game is sharp enough, whether their passing lines are accurate, and whether a different combination might spark a revival. After nine rounds of the 2026 Super League season, the table is incredibly tight.
Leeds sit at the summit with just four points separating them from Catalans, who are currently in seventh place. Warrington Wolves and Hull KR occupy the third and fifth spots respectively, each holding a game in hand. The prevailing narrative of the campaign has been one of fluid, high‑scoring rugby – faster play‑the‑ball speed, more tries, and a heightened emphasis on attacking flair. In this environment, the half‑back pairing becomes even more critical, as they are the primary architects of the attacking structure and the first line of defence when the opposition is on the back foot.
The central question for observers is whether the teams that sit at the top of the ladder are being propelled there by the quality of their half‑backs. Can Leeds, for instance, attribute much of its early dominance to the synergy between Jake Connor and Brodie Croft? What specific attributes are clicking for them?
Conversely, can a side like St Helens continue to produce consistent results by rotating its half‑backs – such as Jackson Hastings working with George Whitby, Jonny Lomax and Tristan Sailor – without losing cohesion? To answer these questions we need to look beyond simple statistics and consider the broader context of each partnership. A half‑back duo does more than just rack up try assists; they control the pace of the game, manage field position through strategic kicking, and provide a defensive shield in the middle of the park.
Their communication and understanding often determine whether a team can execute set‑piece moves under pressure or improvise when the opposition’s defence collapses. Sky Sports Rugby League’s pundit panel recently evaluated the current half‑back pairings and offered their rankings.
Jodie Cunningham highlighted the situation at Wigan, noting that Harry Smith and Bevan French have barely shared the field together and are both unavailable at present. She argued that the absence of Smith has been palpable, and that once French returns, the duo could become the most influential partnership in the competition. Cunningham explained that Smith’s role allows French the freedom to be a "maverick" and take more creative risks, suggesting that their combined impact would be significant once they are fully fit.
Turning attention to Hull KR, Cunningham compared their half‑backs to those at Leeds, describing the contest as a "tight call" that could shift as the season progresses. She praised Hull KR’s back‑row player Lachie Miller, who operates at full‑back, for his pivotal role in facilitating Leeds’ ball movement and scoring opportunities. Miller’s ability to relieve pressure on Brodie Croft by providing a reliable outlet has been instrumental, according to Cunningham.
She pointed out that Miller has already recorded nine try assists, outpacing both Connor (eight) and Croft (three) in that metric. Cunningham further argued that Miller’s contribution is the reason she placed the Hull KR half‑backs – Lewis and May – above the Leeds duo of Connor and Croft. She believes Lewis and May exert greater control, handle more pressure, and exert a stronger influence on the game than the Leeds pair, partly because they do not benefit from a full‑back like Miller who can alleviate some of the creative burden.
Lewis, for example, has matched Connor’s try‑assist tally with eight, while also scoring nine tries himself. May, on the other hand, has added two tries and an impressive 13 try assists, underscoring his playmaking prowess. These observations illustrate how a half‑back partnership cannot be evaluated in isolation; the surrounding players, especially those in the back‑three and the forwards, shape the effectiveness of the duo. A full‑back who can field kicks cleanly, launch counter‑attacks, and provide an extra passing option can dramatically reduce the pressure on the stand‑off, allowing him to focus on orchestrating the attack rather than acting as a safety valve.
Beyond individual statistics, the chemistry between a scrum‑half and a stand‑off often manifests in subtle ways: the timing of dummy passes, the instinctive feel for when to shift the point of attack, and the shared understanding of each other’s strengths. When this connection is strong, teams can execute complex set‑plays with minimal rehearsal, and they can adapt on the fly when the opposition changes tactics. Looking ahead, the half‑back duel will likely remain a decisive factor in the race for the Super League title. Teams that can maintain a healthy, injury‑free partnership while also integrating supportive players like Miller will have a distinct advantage.
Conversely, squads plagued by injuries to key play‑makers, such as Wigan’s current predicament, may see their league position suffer until their halves return to full fitness. In summary, the early stages of the 2026 Super League season have highlighted the pivotal role of half‑back pairings. Whether it is Leeds’ Connor‑Croft combination, Hull KR’s Lewis‑May duo, or the potential resurgence of Wigan’s Smith‑French partnership, the ability of these duos to command the game, create scoring opportunities, and manage pressure will be central to their teams’ fortunes.
As the season unfolds, the rankings may shift, but the underlying truth remains: a cohesive, confident half‑back partnership is often the cornerstone of a championship‑winning side.