Leeds Rhinos secured a dominant 42‑12 win against the Bradford Bulls, but the celebration was tempered by a serious injury to their prolific Fijian winger, Maika Sivo. The 32‑year‑old suffered what appears to be a broken forearm during the match, an incident that not only jeopardised his immediate availability but also threatened his bid to eclipse the Super League record for most tries in a single season. According to Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur, Sivo’s forearm fracture is severe enough to require surgical plating.
The prognosis suggests a recovery period of roughly six weeks, meaning the winger will miss a substantial chunk of the campaign. Despite the setback, Arthur remains optimistic that Sivo could return before the regular season concludes, given the typical pace of rehabilitation for this type of injury. At the time of the injury, Sivo was perched on 29 tries for the current Super League season. The record he is chasing belongs to Castleford’s Denny Solomona, who notched 40 tries in 2016.
Sivo’s remarkable strike rate has made him one of the league’s most feared finishers, and his potential to break Solomona’s mark added an extra narrative to Leeds’ match against Bradford. The injury occurred in the early stages of Leeds’ seven‑try showcase at Headingley on Sunday.
While attempting a tackle, Sivo landed awkwardly, prompting immediate concern from teammates and medical staff. He was eventually taken off the field, and later scans confirmed the suspected fracture.
The Rhinos’ medical team has since outlined a treatment plan that includes internal fixation of the forearm, followed by a structured physiotherapy programme aimed at restoring strength and mobility. Leeds’ victory was buoyed by a strong collective performance. James McDonnell celebrated his 100th Super League appearance by crossing the try‑line twice, a personal milestone that underscored his consistency for the club. Supporting him were Jarrod O’Connor, Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, Cooper Jenkins and Kallum Watkins, each contributing a try to the tally.
Their combined effort helped Leeds bounce back from a narrow 36‑34 loss to Castleford in the previous round, re‑establishing the team’s position near the top of the table. Bradford, on the other hand, endured their sixth defeat in seven top‑flight encounters.
They briefly took the lead when Guy Armitage expertly finished a Chris Atkin kick, but Leeds quickly responded through McDonnell’s second try, despite the looming concern over Sivo’s condition. Jake Connor, who had an early effort ruled out for a double‑movement infringement, later set up another try for McDonnell, while O’Connor extended Leeds’ halftime advantage to 18‑6. The second half saw Bradford attempt a comeback when Ethan Ryan secured a high ball and linked up with Atkin for a crossing move that resulted in a try. However, Leeds regained control when Holroyd powered over after a massive 40‑20 kick from Connor.
Connor, who also took on the conversion duties, successfully kicked all seven of Leeds’ tries, cementing his reputation as a reliable goal‑kicker. With the win, Leeds now sit on 32 points after 20 games, holding a two‑point cushion over both Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors. Bradford remains in 12th place with 12 points, two points clear of Hull FC and six points ahead of bottom‑placed Huddersfield Giants. Looking ahead, Leeds will need to adapt their attacking strategies in Sivo’s absence, perhaps relying more heavily on the creative playmaking of Connor and the finishing ability of McDonnell and O’Connor.
The coaching staff will also monitor Sivo’s rehabilitation closely, aiming to have him back in training as soon as medically feasible. His return could be pivotal in the final stretch of the season, especially if he manages to close the gap on Solomona’s try‑scoring record. Fans can stay updated on Sivo’s progress and all Super League action through Sky Sports’ various platforms, including the Sky Sports app, the Bench podcast with Jenna and Jon, and the dedicated WhatsApp channel for real‑time news, video highlights, and expert analysis.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live throughout the season, offering two exclusive live fixtures each round and additional coverage on Sky Sports+ for the remaining games. In summary, while Leeds celebrated a convincing win over Bradford, the triumph was shadowed by Maika Sivo’s forearm injury, a development that not only sidelines a key try‑scorer for several weeks but also dampens his pursuit of a historic try‑scoring record. The Rhinos now face the dual challenge of maintaining their league momentum and managing the absence of one of their most lethal attacking weapons as the season progresses.