Leeds Rhinos secured a convincing 42-12 win against the Bradford Bulls, but the celebration was dampened by a serious injury to their star winger, Maika Sivo. The Fijian international, who has been on a try‑scoring tear this season, appears to have suffered a broken forearm during the match, a setback that could sideline him for several weeks and jeopardise his bid to eclipse the Super League record for most tries in a single campaign.
After the final whistle, Leeds head coach Brad Arthur confirmed that Sivo's forearm will likely require surgical plating. The 32‑year‑old, who previously starred for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL before joining the Rhinos, is expected to miss roughly six weeks of action. This injury comes at a pivotal moment, as Sivo currently sits on 29 tries for the season, just 11 short of the all‑time Super League benchmark of 40 set by Castleford's Denny Solomona back in 2016.
Despite the blow, Arthur remains optimistic about Sivo's return, suggesting the winger could be back on the field before the regular season concludes. The injury occurred while Sivo was making a defensive tackle in Leeds' dominant seven‑try display at Headingley on Sunday. His absence will be felt, but the Rhinos have a deep roster capable of stepping up.
Leeds' victory was highlighted by James McDonnell, who celebrated his 100th Super League appearance by crossing the line twice. Supporting him were Jarrod O'Connor, Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, Cooper Jenkins and Kallum Watkins, each contributing a try to the tally.
The win lifted Leeds to the top of the Super League table, putting them two points clear of their nearest rivals after a previous week’s narrow 36‑34 loss to Castleford. Bradford, enduring their sixth defeat in seven top‑flight matches, briefly took the lead when Guy Armitage capitalised on a Chris Atkin kick. However, Leeds responded swiftly, with McDonnell restoring parity despite the looming concern over Sivo's condition.
Jake Connor saw a potential try ruled out for a double movement but managed to set up another score for McDonnell, and O'Connor extended Leeds' lead to 18‑6 at the break. In the second half, Bradford managed to pull one back when Ethan Ryan claimed a high ball and linked up with Atkin for a cross that found the try line.
Yet Leeds quickly re‑asserted their dominance. Tom Holroyd powered over after a massive 40‑20 kick from Connor, and the Rhinos never looked back.
Connor was flawless with the boot, converting all seven of Leeds' tries, a feat that helped the team climb to 32 points after 20 games, sitting two points ahead of Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors. Bradford now sit 12th on the table with 12 points, comfortably ahead of Hull FC and a six‑point cushion above bottom‑placed Huddersfield Giants. The Bulls will need to regroup quickly as they continue to battle relegation pressures. Sivo's injury not only impacts Leeds' immediate attacking options but also adds a layer of intrigue to the race for the try‑scoring record.
If he returns before the season's end and maintains his prolific form, he could still challenge Solomona's 40‑try mark. Historically, breaking that record has required a combination of durability, consistency, and a team that creates ample scoring opportunities. Leeds have demonstrated both the offensive firepower and the defensive solidity needed to support a record‑breaking campaign, but any prolonged absence could see the record slip out of reach. Medical experts suggest that a forearm fracture with plating typically heals in six to eight weeks, followed by a rehabilitation period to regain full strength and tackling confidence.
For a player of Sivo's caliber, who relies heavily on his speed and agility, the rehab process will be closely monitored to ensure he returns to his best without risking re‑injury. Leeds fans can look forward to a packed schedule ahead, with the Rhinos aiming to maintain their lead at the summit. The club's depth, highlighted by the contributions of McDonnell, O'Connor, and the supporting cast, will be crucial as they navigate the remaining fixtures.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League match this season, offering fans comprehensive coverage, including exclusive live games each round and additional content through the Sky Sports+ platform. In summary, while Leeds Rhinos celebrated a dominant victory over Bradford Bulls, the triumph was tempered by the serious injury to Maika Sivo. His forearm fracture will likely keep him out for around six weeks, putting his pursuit of the 40‑try record in jeopardy. Nevertheless, the Rhinos remain atop the league and possess the squad depth to push forward, while Sivo's recovery will be closely watched by supporters eager to see if he can still achieve a historic season once he returns to the field.