When a rugby league side hits a rich vein of form, the spotlight often lands on the two men wearing the numbers six and seven. These half‑backs – the scrum‑half and the stand‑off – are the primary architects of a team’s attacking rhythm, and their partnership can make the difference between a winning streak and a prolonged slump. Even when a club is struggling, fans and analysts immediately ask whether the combination at the base of the spine is functioning properly, whether their kicking game is accurate, whether their distribution lines are crisp, and whether a different pairing might unlock better results.
After nine rounds of the 2026 Super League season, the table is astonishingly tight. Leeds sits on the summit with just four points separating them from Catalans, who sit in seventh place. Meanwhile, Warrington Wolves and Hull KR occupy third and fifth positions, respectively, each holding a game in hand that could propel them even higher.
The prevailing narrative of the campaign has been one of free‑flowing, high‑scoring rugby, characterised by faster play‑the‑ball speeds, more line breaks and a greater emphasis on attacking flair. In such an environment, the half‑backs become even more pivotal – they are the ones who call the plays, organise the defence and decide when to accelerate the tempo.
The central question, then, is whether the teams that sit at the top of the ladder are being propelled there by the quality of their half‑back duos. Can Leeds attribute much of its early dominance to the partnership of Jake Connor and Brodie Croft? What specific attributes are clicking for them, and how does that compare with other leading pairings? Moreover, can a side maintain its momentum when the half‑back combination is altered, as we have seen with St Helens when Jackson Hastings has been paired with George Whitby, Jonny Lomax and Tristan Sailor at different stages of the season?
To answer these queries, Sky Sports Rugby League pundits have compiled a ranking of the half‑back pairings they believe are delivering the greatest impact. Their analysis, delivered via the Bench podcast with Jenna and Jon, highlights several key points. First, the influence of a half‑back duo cannot be measured solely by individual statistics; it must be viewed in the context of how they enable the rest of the team, particularly the play‑makers and finishers, to thrive. Jodie Cunningham, a respected voice on the Sky panel, pointed out that Wigan’s Harry Smith and Bevan French have barely featured together this season, and their absence has been felt.
"You can clearly see the impact of no Smith," she said, noting that French’s ability to run with the ball and act as a maverick is curtailed when the partnership is unsettled. She suggested that once Smith returns to the lineup, the duo could become the most influential pair in the competition. Cunningham then turned her attention to Hull KR, arguing that their half‑backs have, at present, a greater influence than Leeds’s pairing of Connor and Croft.
She explained that Hull KR’s full‑back Lachie Miller plays a crucial role in facilitating ball movement and creating scoring opportunities, which in turn eases the pressure on Croft to generate try assists. "Miller’s nine try assists put him ahead of both Connor and Croft," she noted, emphasizing that his contribution as a link player amplifies the overall effectiveness of Hull KR’s attack.
The pundit further highlighted that while Connor and Croft’s partnership is important, the broader combination involving Miller, Connor, and Croft creates a more balanced attack. She cited statistics: Miller’s nine try assists, Connor’s eight, and Croft’s three, illustrating how the distribution of creative output can shift the perception of who is most influential.
Cunningham also praised Hull KR’s other half‑backs, Lewis and May, for their ability to score tries and provide assists. Lewis has matched Connor’s eight try assists while also adding nine tries of his own, and May has contributed two tries and an impressive 13 try assists. "When you look at their contributions and how they translate into points, you can say they are a proven half‑back pairing," she concluded. These insights underscore a broader theme: the success of a half‑back duo is intertwined with the performance of the players around them.
A prolific full‑back, a dynamic centre or a potent winger can relieve the half‑backs of some creative burden, allowing them to focus on game management and tactical kicking. Conversely, if the surrounding players are not delivering, the half‑backs may be forced into a more demanding role, which can affect their efficiency. Beyond the statistics, several qualitative factors differentiate the top pairings. Communication is paramount; the scrum‑half must feed the ball quickly and accurately while the stand‑off needs to read the defensive line and decide whether to run, pass or kick.
Trust between the two players enables them to execute set plays with confidence and to improvise when the opposition’s defence collapses. Leadership is another key element – the half‑backs often act as on‑field captains, directing teammates, organising the defensive line and making split‑second decisions that can change the momentum of a match.
In the case of Leeds, Connor’s strong kicking game and Croft’s incisive running lines have combined to produce a fluid attacking platform. Their ability to vary the point of attack, switching quickly between wide passes and short, direct runs, has kept opponents guessing. Moreover, their defensive work rate – making crucial tackles in the middle of the field – has helped Leeds maintain a solid defensive record despite the league’s trend toward higher scoring.
Hull KR, on the other hand, benefits from the versatility of Miller at full‑back, whose positional awareness and counter‑attack prowess create extra space for the half‑backs to operate. Lewis’s knack for breaking the line and May’s vision for creating try‑setting passes have turned Hull KR into a well‑rounded attacking unit where the half‑backs are not the sole source of creativity but part of a larger network. Looking ahead, the rankings are likely to evolve as injuries, form fluctuations and tactical adjustments come into play.
Teams that can adapt their half‑back combinations without losing cohesion will have a distinct advantage. St Helens, for example, has demonstrated the capacity to rotate Hastings with different partners while still producing winning performances, suggesting that a deep pool of talent at the number six and seven positions can mitigate the risk of over‑reliance on a single duo. In summary, the influence of half‑back pairings in the 2026 Super League cannot be reduced to simple metrics.
It is a blend of individual skill, complementary strengths, supporting personnel, and the ability to execute a game plan under pressure. While Leeds’s Connor and Croft have been instrumental in their early success, Hull KR’s Lewis, May and the supporting role of Miller illustrate how a broader collective effort can elevate a half‑back duo’s impact. As the season progresses, the pundits will continue to monitor these partnerships, and fans will watch closely to see which combination ultimately proves the most decisive in the race for the championship.