When a rugby league side hits a rich vein of form, the players who draw the most attention are often the ones wearing the No. 6 and No. 7 jerseys. The half‑back pairing – the scrum‑half and the stand‑off – become the focal point of praise when the team is thriving and the target of criticism when results slip.
Commentators routinely ask whether the partnership is clicking, if their kicking game is sharp, whether their passes are accurate and whether an alternative combination might work better. After nine rounds of the 2026 Super League, the table is astonishingly tight.
Leeds sits at the summit with just four points separating them from Catalans, who occupy seventh place. Warrington Wolves and Hull KR are positioned in third and fifth respectively, each with a game in hand that could further tighten the race.
The prevailing storyline of the season has been a faster, more fluid style of play – quicker play‑the‑ball speeds, a higher scoring rate and a greater emphasis on attacking creativity. In such an environment, the half‑backs, who are responsible for directing the team, issuing commands and orchestrating the attack, are under a magnifying glass. The key question is whether the teams that sit atop the ladder are being propelled there by the performance of their half‑back duos.
Can Leeds attribute its success to the partnership of Jake Connor and Brodie Croft? If so, what exactly is working for them?
Conversely, can a pairing such as St Helens’ Jackson Hastings with George Whitby, Jonny Lomax and Tristan Sailor continue to produce wins despite regular changes in personnel? These are the issues that fans, pundits and coaches are dissecting.
Several Sky Sports Rugby League analysts have taken the time to rank the half‑back partnerships that appear to be delivering the most impact so far this season. Among the voices heard is Jodie Cunningham, who highlighted the situation at Wigan. "Harry Smith and Bevan French have barely had a chance to gel this season and both are currently unavailable," she noted. "The absence of Smith is palpable, and when French does feature, his influence on the team is evident.
Smith gives French the freedom to be a maverick and to run the ball, and without them together the side looks a step behind." Cunningham also compared the impact of Hull KR’s half‑backs with that of Leeds. She argued that while the Leeds duo of Connor and Croft is important, the true engine for Leeds may be full‑back Lachie Miller. "Miller’s ability to move the ball and create try‑assists eases the pressure on Croft," she explained. "Miller himself has logged nine try assists, surpassing both Connor (eight) and Croft (three).
His involvement changes the dynamics of the three‑quarter line and, in my view, gives him a larger share of the credit for Leeds’ attacking output." Further expanding on the Hull KR side, Cunningham observed that the contributions of Lewis and May outweigh those of Jack Broadbent. "Lewis is among the top try‑scorers with nine and also provides eight try assists, matching Connor’s play‑making numbers while also crossing the line himself. May, meanwhile, has two tries and an impressive thirteen try assists.
Their combined influence on the scoreboard suggests a more balanced, dual‑playmaker system that can dictate the tempo and direction of the game." The discussion also touched on the broader tactical landscape of the league. Faster play‑the‑ball cycles have placed a premium on half‑backs who can make split‑second decisions, execute precise kicks and maintain a high work rate in defence. The modern half‑back must be a versatile operator – part distributor, part territorial kicker, part defensive organizer. As a result, the chemistry between the No.
6 and No. 7 becomes a critical variable in a team’s success. Looking ahead, the season’s schedule promises each round to feature two matches broadcast live on Sky Sports, with the remaining five fixtures available via the Sky Sports+ streaming service.
This increased exposure means that half‑back performances are under constant scrutiny, and any lapse can be dissected by pundits and fans alike. The ongoing analysis will continue to evolve as teams settle into rhythm, injuries force rotations, and younger talents emerge onto the stage.
In summary, the current consensus among analysts suggests that while individual brilliance – such as that shown by Lachie Miller, Lewis and May – can tip the scales, the true measure of a half‑back partnership lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly with the broader squad. Whether it is the established pairing of Connor and Croft or a more fluid combination at St Helens, the half‑backs who can blend tactical acumen with consistent execution are the ones most likely to keep their clubs at the top of the Super League ladder as the season progresses.