When a rugby league side hits a purple patch, when its form is humming and the players appear to be clicking like a well‑oiled machine, the two individuals wearing the No.6 and No.7 jerseys inevitably find themselves under the microscope. These are the scrum‑half and the stand‑off – the half‑back pairing that orchestrates the attack, dictates tempo and often decides whether a team’s momentum will surge or stall. Their importance becomes even more pronounced when a club hits a slump; analysts and fans alike begin to question whether the combination is delivering, whether their kicking accuracy is on target, whether their distribution is crisp, and whether alternative options might produce better outcomes. After nine rounds of the 2026 Super League campaign, the league table is astonishingly tight.
Leeds sits at the summit with a perfect record, while Catalans, occupying seventh place, is merely four points adrift. Warrington Wolves and Hull Kingston Rovers (Hull KR) sit in third and fifth respectively, each with a game in hand, meaning the battle for the top spots is still very much open. The prevailing narrative of this season has been one of free‑flowing, high‑scoring rugby, characterized by quicker play‑the‑ball speed, an increase in total points per game and a greater emphasis on attacking flair.
In such an environment, the half‑backs – the players tasked with issuing commands, directing the ball and shaping the overall strategy – are more pivotal than ever. The central question for pundits and supporters is whether the teams that currently dominate the table owe their success to the effectiveness of their half‑back duos. Can Leeds attribute its leading position to the synergy between Jake Connor and Brodie Croft? If so, what specific elements of their partnership are clicking?
Conversely, can a side like St Helens maintain its consistency by rotating its half‑backs – for instance, seeing Jackson Hastings pair with George Whitby, Jonny Lomax or Tristan Sailor – and still produce the same winning outcomes? These queries underscore a broader discussion: is the half‑back partnership the decisive factor, or are there additional pieces of the puzzle that we have yet to fully appreciate? Sky Sports Rugby League’s panel of experts have taken a deep dive into the data, offering rankings of the half‑back pairings they believe are delivering the most impact at this stage of the season. Their analysis, presented in a video segment (viewable best on Chrome for optimal accessibility), highlights several key observations.
Jodie Cunningham, a respected voice on the network, points out the situation at Wigan, where Harry Smith and Bevan French have scarcely shared the field together and are currently unavailable due to injury. "You can clearly see the impact of Smith’s absence," she notes, emphasizing that French’s influence on the team’s attacking structure is substantial when he is on the pitch.
She suggests that once both players return, their combined effect could be among the most significant in the league. Cunningham then turns her attention to Hull KR, arguing that their half‑back unit may be exerting a greater influence than the Leeds pairing at this point.
She acknowledges that the balance could shift as the season unfolds, but for now she believes the Hull KR duo deserves the nod. Her reasoning hinges on the role of Lachie Miller, Hull KR’s full‑back, who she describes as a critical catalyst for Leeds’s ball‑movement and scoring opportunities. Miller’s presence, she argues, alleviates pressure on Brodie Croft, allowing him to focus less on direct try‑assists and more on orchestrating play.
Miller himself has recorded nine try assists, outpacing both Connor (eight) and Croft (three), underscoring his importance in the attacking equation. Further, Cunningham highlights the contributions of Hull KR’s centre pairing – Lewis and May – who she feels exert more control and influence than the Leeds halves. Lewis, with nine tries and eight try assists, matches Connor’s assist tally while adding his own scoring threat. May, meanwhile, has contributed two tries and an impressive 13 try assists.
When evaluating points generated directly from their involvement, Cunningham concludes that the Hull KR half‑back and centre combination represents a proven, high‑impact partnership. Expanding on these insights, it is worth noting that the modern half‑back’s responsibilities have evolved beyond simple distribution. They now frequently act as secondary play‑makers, tactical kickers, and even defensive organizers.
A successful half‑back pair must possess complementary skill sets: one may excel at quick, darting passes and sniping runs, while the other provides a steady hand in set‑piece execution and territorial kicking. The chemistry between them can be measured not only by statistical outputs such as try assists, line breaks or kicking metres, but also by intangible factors like communication speed, mutual trust and the ability to read each other's intentions under pressure. Leeds’s Connor‑Croft partnership exemplifies many of these qualities.
Connor’s robust running game, combined with his solid defensive work rate, creates a platform for Croft to exploit gaps with incisive passes and strategic kicks. Their mutual understanding appears to have been honed through preseason training and early‑season matches, resulting in a fluid attacking pattern that has helped Leeds maintain an unbeaten run. Moreover, the presence of a dynamic full‑back like Lachie Miller (who, while playing for Hull KR, is cited as a catalyst for Leeds’s success) illustrates how the half‑back’s effectiveness can be amplified by adjacent positions that provide additional attacking options.
In contrast, teams that have struggled often exhibit a lack of cohesion between their No.6 and No.7. When the scrum‑half rushes the ball too quickly without proper alignment, or when the stand‑off opts for low‑percentage kicks, the entire attacking structure can crumble. Injuries, as seen with Smith and French at Wigan, further disrupt rhythm, forcing coaches to experiment with alternative combinations that may not yet have the required synchronicity.
Looking ahead, the race for the top of the Super League will likely hinge on which clubs can sustain high‑performing half‑back partnerships throughout the grueling season. Consistency, adaptability to opposition tactics, and the ability to integrate support players such as full‑backs and centres will be decisive. As the league continues to emphasize rapid play‑the‑ball and attacking flair, the half‑backs who can balance creative vision with disciplined execution will be the true architects of success. In summary, the current analysis suggests that while Leeds’s current dominance can be partially credited to the Connor‑Croft duo, Hull KR’s centre‑half‑back combination of Lewis, May and Miller is equally compelling.
Wigan’s potential resurgence hinges on the return of Smith and French, whose partnership could become a league‑defining force. As the season progresses, the rankings may shift, but the central theme remains clear: the half‑back partnership is a cornerstone of any team aspiring to climb the Super League ladder.