Leeds Rhinos celebrated a dominant 42-12 win against the Bradford Bulls, but the victory was tinged with concern after winger Maika Sivo suffered what appears to be a broken forearm. The injury not only jeopardised Leeds' immediate plans but also put a dent in Sivo's chase of the Super League's single‑season try‑scoring record. In the post‑match press conference, Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur confirmed that Sivo’s forearm would require surgical plating and that the 32‑year‑old is expected to be out of action for roughly six weeks.
This timeline suggests he could miss a substantial portion of the remaining regular‑season fixtures, although Arthur remains optimistic that the Fijian international will return before the campaign concludes. At the time of the injury, Sivo was perched on 29 tries for the season, just 11 short of the benchmark set by Castleford’s Denny Solomona, who notched 40 tries in 2016 – the current record for the most touchdowns in a single Super League campaign. Sivo’s pace, power and finishing ability have made him a constant threat on the wing, and his absence will be felt both on the scoreboard and in the morale of the squad.
The incident occurred midway through Leeds’ seven‑try display at Headingley on Sunday. Simo was involved in a high‑impact tackle that resulted in the suspected fracture.
Despite the setback, the Rhinos pressed on, with James McDonnell marking his 100th Super League appearance by crossing the line twice. Fellow backs Jarrod O'Connor, Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, Cooper Jenkins and Kallum Watkins each added a try, highlighting the depth of Leeds' attacking options.
Bradford, on the back foot after a string of defeats – their sixth loss in seven top‑flight matches – managed an early lead when Guy Armitage capitalised on a Chris Atkin kick to score. However, Leeds quickly responded through McDonnell, demonstrating resilience even as the team grappled with the news of Sivo’s injury.
The first half saw Leeds extend their advantage to 18‑6, thanks in part to a disallowed double‑movement effort from Jake Connor and a further try from O'Connor. The half‑time score reflected Leeds’ ability to dominate possession and territory, despite the emotional blow of losing one of their star finishers. After the break, Bradford attempted a comeback when Ethan Ryan secured a high ball and linked up with Atkin for a crossing move that resulted in a try. Yet Leeds re‑asserted control when Tom Holroyd powered over following a massive 40‑20 kick from Connor.
Connor, who also took on the conversion duties, successfully kicked all seven of Leeds’ tries, a flawless record that helped the club climb to 32 points after 20 games – two points ahead of both Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors. In the broader context of the league table, Bradford now sit 12th with 12 points, a narrow two‑point cushion above Hull FC and a six‑point gap ahead of bottom‑placed Huddersfield Giants.
Their recent form suggests a battle to avoid relegation, while Leeds continue to press for the top spot. Looking ahead, the Rhinos will need to manage Sivo’s rehabilitation carefully.
Medical staff are likely to follow a structured protocol involving immobilisation, physiotherapy and a graduated return‑to‑training program. Given his age and previous experience with injuries, there is cautious optimism that Sivo can regain full fitness in time to add to his try tally before the season wraps up.
If Sivo does return before the regular season ends, he could still pose a realistic threat to surpass Solomona’s 40‑try record, especially if Leeds maintain their attacking momentum. The team’s ability to generate try‑scoring opportunities across the backline – as evidenced by the multiple contributors in the Bradford match – means that even in Sivo’s absence, Leeds have the firepower to keep pressure on opponents. Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the Rhinos navigate the next few weeks. The club’s schedule includes fixtures against fellow title contenders, which will test both their depth and resilience.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League game live this season, offering viewers comprehensive coverage of the drama unfolding on the field. In summary, while Leeds Rhinos secured a convincing win over Bradford Bulls, the triumph was shadowed by Maika Sivo’s suspected broken arm. The injury threatens to sideline the prolific winger for up to six weeks, potentially curbing his pursuit of the all‑time try‑scoring record.
Nonetheless, Leeds’ collective attacking prowess and the hope of Sivo’s return before season’s end keep the club’s ambitions alive as they chase the top of the Super League table.