Leeds Rhinos secured a commanding 42-12 win against the Bradford Bulls, but the celebration was dampened 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 injury that will likely require surgical plating and a recovery period of roughly six weeks, according to Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur. Sivo’s misfortune not only sidelines a key attacking weapon but also jeopardises his bid to eclipse the Super League record for most tries in a single season. At the time of the injury, Sivo was sitting on an impressive tally of 29 tries for the campaign, edging ever closer to the benchmark set by Castleford’s Denny Solomona, who notched 40 tries in 2016.
If Sivo can return before the regular season concludes, he could still add a handful of scores to his total, but the six‑week lay‑off means the margin for error has narrowed considerably. The incident occurred in the second half of Leeds’ seven‑try display at Headingley on Sunday. While attempting a tackle, Sivo landed awkwardly and immediately clutched his forearm. Medical staff rushed onto the field, and after an on‑field assessment it was clear the injury was severe enough to require immediate attention.
Post‑match, Arthur confirmed that the fracture would need to be stabilized with a plate, and that the winger would miss a significant chunk of the remaining fixtures. Despite the setback, the Rhinos’ performance was impressive.
James McDonnell celebrated his 100th Super League appearance by crossing the line twice, while a supporting cast of teammates each contributed a try. Jarrod O'Connor, Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, Cooper Jenkins and Kallum Watkins all added one score apiece, showcasing the depth of Leeds’ attacking options. Their collective effort helped the side bounce back from a narrow 36-34 loss to Castleford in the previous round, re‑establishing Leeds as the team to beat in the league.
Bradford, meanwhile, endured their sixth defeat in seven top‑flight matches. Early on they took the lead when Guy Armitage capitalised on a Chris Atkin kick, but Leeds quickly responded through McDonnell, demonstrating resilience even as they coped with the news of Sivo’s injury. Jake Connor saw one of his tries disallowed for a double movement, yet he still managed to create another opportunity for McDonnell.
By halftime, O'Connor had extended Leeds’ advantage to 18-6. The second half saw Bradford pull a point back when Ethan Ryan secured a high ball and linked up with Atkin to cross the try line. However, Leeds’ dominance resurfaced almost immediately. Tom Holroyd powered over after a massive 40‑20 kick from Connor, and the Rhinos continued to pile on points.
Connor proved his worth as a reliable goal‑kicker, converting all seven of Leeds’ tries and taking the team’s points total to 32 after 20 games, a two‑point cushion over Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors. Bradford’s position in the table slipped further; they sit 12th with 12 points, two points clear of Hull FC and six points ahead of the league’s bottom‑placed Huddersfield Giants. The Bulls will need to regroup quickly if they hope to climb out of the relegation zone.
Looking ahead, Sivo’s rehabilitation will be closely monitored. The Rhinos are optimistic that he can return before the season’s climax, providing a vital boost to their attacking arsenal as they chase both the league title and individual records. Should he recover fully, his speed, power and finishing ability could prove decisive in the final stretch of matches.
For fans eager to follow every twist and turn of the Super League, Sky Sports continues to broadcast all games live, with two matches each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+. The league’s latest standings, podcasts such as "The Bench" with Jenna and Jon, and the Sky Sports app all offer comprehensive coverage, analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insight for supporters across the globe.
In summary, Leeds’ dominant victory over Bradford was marred by Maika Sivo’s serious forearm injury, a development that threatens his pursuit of the all‑time try‑scoring record. While the Rhinos maintain a comfortable lead at the top of the Super League table, the next few weeks will be crucial for both the team’s title ambitions and Sivo’s personal milestones.