Leeds Rhinos secured a commanding 42-12 win over the Bradford Bulls, but the victory was tinged with concern after winger Maika Sivo suffered what appears to be a broken forearm during the match. The injury not only forced the Fijian international off the field but also cast doubt on his bid to surpass the Super League record for most tries in a single season. Coach Brad Arthur confirmed after the game that Sivo's forearm will require surgical plating and that the 32‑year‑old is expected to miss roughly six weeks of action. This timetable suggests he could return before the regular season draws to a close, but the lay‑off will inevitably interrupt his impressive scoring run.
At the time of the injury, Sivo was perched on 29 tries for the campaign, edging ever closer to the benchmark of 40 tries set by Castleford’s Denny Solomona in 2016. If Sivo were to maintain his current strike rate, he would still need a substantial number of matches to eclipse that figure, and a six‑week absence could prove pivotal. The incident occurred early in Leeds’ seven‑try onslaught at Headingley on Sunday. Sivo was making a defensive tackle when he fell awkwardly, prompting immediate concern among teammates and medical staff.
Despite the setback, Leeds continued to press, with James McDonnell celebrating his 100th Super League appearance by crossing the line twice. Fellow contributors Jarrod O'Connor, Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, Cooper Jenkins and Kallum Watkins each added a try, ensuring the Rhinos bounced back strongly after a narrow 36-34 defeat to Castleford the previous week. Bradford, meanwhile, endured their sixth loss in seven top‑flight fixtures.
They briefly took the lead when Guy Armitage capitalised on a Chris Atkin kick, but Leeds responded swiftly, with McDonnell scoring again even as the team grappled with the news of Sivo’s injury. Jake Connor saw one of his attempts ruled out for a double movement, yet he set up a second try for McDonnell, and O'Connor extended Leeds’ halftime advantage to 18-6.
The second half saw Bradford pull one back after Ethan Ryan claimed a high ball and linked up with Atkin for a cross that found the net. However, Leeds quickly re‑asserted dominance when Tom Holroyd powered over following a massive 40‑20 kick from Connor. Connor proved lethal with the boot, converting all seven of Leeds’ tries and pushing the Rhinos to 32 points after 20 games – a tally that places them two points clear of Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors at the top of the table.
Bradford’s position remains precarious, sitting 12th with 12 points, just two ahead of Hull FC and six clear of 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 recovery will be closely monitored. The Rhinos will likely rely on other backline options to fill the void, but his speed, power and try‑scoring instinct are hard to replace.
Should he return before the season ends, he could still mount a late‑season surge, but the six‑week lay‑off means he must regain match fitness and form quickly. Beyond the immediate implications for Leeds, Sivo’s injury highlights the physical toll of a high‑intensity rugby league schedule. Players regularly face heavy contact, and injuries to key playmakers can shift momentum in a tightly contested league.
The Rhinos’ depth was tested, and the contributions from McDonnell, O'Connor and the supporting cast demonstrated that the team can still produce points even when a star winger is sidelined. Fans can stay updated on the latest developments, including Sivo’s rehabilitation progress, by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp, which provides real‑time news, video highlights, analysis and more. The Super League continues to broadcast every match live this season, with two games per round shown exclusively live and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+.
For those who prefer on‑the‑go access, the Sky Sports app offers streaming, scores and commentary at any time. In summary, Leeds Rhinos’ dominant win over Bradford Bulls was marred by Maika Sivo’s suspected broken arm, a setback that could jeopardise his pursuit of the all‑time try‑scoring record. While the Rhinos maintain a narrow lead at the top of the Super League, the injury underscores the unpredictable nature of the sport and the importance of squad depth. The coming weeks will reveal how Leeds adapt without Sivo and whether he can return in time to make a final push for the historic 40‑try milestone before the season concludes.