When a rugby league side hits a vein of confidence, when its performances are clicking and the results keep coming, the focus inevitably lands on the two players wearing the No 6 and No 7 jerseys. These are the scrum‑half and the stand‑off, the two half‑backs who orchestrate the attack, dictate the tempo and make the split‑second decisions that can turn a good set of six into a try. Their importance is magnified even more when a team is struggling; pundits and fans alike start to question whether the partnership is functioning, whether the kicking game is accurate, whether the passing lines are crisp, and whether a different combination might spark a revival. After just nine rounds of the 2026 Super League campaign, the table is astonishingly tight.
Leeds sit at the summit with a perfect record, while Catalans, sitting in seventh place, are only four points behind. In between, Warrington Wolves hold third place and Hull KR occupy fifth, both with a game in hand that could see them leapfrog the leaders if they maintain their form. The season so far has been defined by a faster, more fluid style of play – quicker play‑the‑ball speed, higher scoring totals and a greater emphasis on attacking flair.
In this environment, the half‑back pairing becomes the engine that drives the whole side, responsible for both the strategic kicking and the creative distribution that underpins that free‑flowing rugby. The key question is whether the teams at the top of the ladder are there because their half‑backs are firing on all cylinders.
Can Leeds attribute its dominance to the synergy between Jake Connor and Brodie Croft? What specific attributes of their partnership are clicking? Conversely, can a side like St Helens continue to produce results when its half‑back combinations rotate frequently – for instance, when Jackson Hastings links up with George Whitby, Jonny Lomax or Tristan Sailor?
The answer is not straightforward, but a handful of analysts from Sky Sports Rugby League have attempted to rank the most influential duos in the competition. One of those voices, former player and current pundit Jodie Cunningham, highlighted the impact of the Wigan pairing of Harry Smith and Bevan French. "Smith and French have barely had a chance to play together this season and both are currently unavailable," she explained. "You can clearly see the void left by Smith’s absence and the influence French normally has on that team.
Smith gives French the freedom to be a maverick, to run at the line. While we have to discount them for now, once they return I believe their combined impact will be the biggest in the league, and the current struggles of Wigan reflect that loss." Cunningham then turned her attention to Hull KR, arguing that their half‑backs have, at this stage, exerted a greater influence than the Leeds duo. "The reason I placed Hull KR’s half‑backs as arguably more influential is because I think Lachie Miller at full‑back plays a crucial role in Leeds’ ability to move the ball and score," she said.
"Miller eases the pressure on Croft in terms of try assists and scoring. While Connor and Croft’s partnership is vital, Miller’s involvement in the three‑quarter line adds another dimension that cannot be ignored." She went on to quantify Miller’s contribution: nine try assists, putting him ahead of both Connor (eight) and Croft (three). "Miller is the final piece of that puzzle," Cunningham asserted.
"That is why I rank Lewis and May above Connor and Croft – they take on more control, pressure and influence, especially because they don’t have a full‑back of Miller’s calibre to lean on." Cunningham also praised Hull KR’s own try‑scorers. Jack Broadbent, while effective, does not match Miller’s impact on Leeds.
However, Lewis (nine tries) and May (two tries, 13 try assists) are matching or exceeding the output of Leeds’ half‑backs. "When you look at their contributions and how they translate into points, you can say they are a proven half‑back pairing," she concluded.
The analysis underscores a broader theme: the modern half‑back’s role is no longer confined to simple distribution and occasional kicks. They are now expected to be play‑makers, secondary attackers, and sometimes even finishers. Their decisions at the ruck, the timing of their passes, and the accuracy of their tactical kicks can dictate whether a team scores five points or walks away empty‑handed. Moreover, the synergy with other key players – particularly the full‑back, who often acts as a secondary play‑maker – can amplify or diminish a half‑back’s influence.
In practical terms, a successful partnership typically exhibits several hallmarks. First, clear communication: the scrum‑half must feed the stand‑off quickly and accurately, while the stand‑off must read the defensive line and decide whether to kick, run, or pass.
Second, complementary skill sets: one player may excel at tactical kicking and game management, while the other brings a running threat and the ability to break tackles. Third, mutual trust: each half‑back must trust the other to execute the plan, allowing them to take calculated risks without fearing costly errors. Leeds’ Connor‑Croft duo appears to embody these qualities. Connor’s experience and kicking precision provide a solid platform, while Croft’s agility and vision allow him to exploit gaps created by Connor’s strategic play.
Their combined nine try assists and multiple line breaks have been instrumental in Leeds maintaining an unbeaten record. Similarly, Hull KR’s Miller‑Lewis‑May combination demonstrates how a full‑back can relieve pressure on the halves, enabling them to focus on distribution and tactical kicking while the full‑back injects creativity and finishing power. Looking ahead, the half‑back rankings are likely to shift as injuries heal and form fluctuates. Wigan’s Smith and French could emerge as a dominant force once they return to the field together, potentially reshaping the top of the table.
St Helens’ rotating partnerships may either prove a masterstroke of adaptability or expose a lack of consistency, depending on how quickly each pairing gels. For fans and analysts, the takeaway is clear: while the broader team dynamics, defensive structures and individual brilliance all matter, the half‑back partnership remains a decisive factor in the Super League’s modern, high‑scoring era. As the season progresses, monitoring how these duos evolve, how they interact with their full‑backs, and how they influence the overall attacking output will provide the best insight into which teams are truly in control of the game. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season, offering two exclusive live games each round and covering the remaining five matches on the main Sky Sports channel, ensuring that viewers can watch these pivotal half‑back battles unfold in real time.