Leeds Rhinos secured a commanding 42-12 win over the Bradford Bulls, but the celebration was tempered by a worrying injury to their star Fijian winger, Maika Sivo. The 32‑year‑old, who has been a prolific try‑scorer this season, suffered what appears to be a broken forearm during the match, a setback that could jeopardise his bid to eclipse the Super League record for most tries in a single campaign.
The injury occurred in the midst of a dominant performance at Headingley, where Leeds piled on seven tries. Sivo was involved in a tackle early in the second half when his forearm took a heavy impact. Medical staff examined him on the field and later confirmed that the bone is likely fractured and will require surgical plating. Coach Brad Arthur, speaking after the game, warned that Sivo could be out of action for approximately six weeks, meaning he will miss a crucial portion of the latter stages of the regular season.
Before the injury, Sivo had already amassed an impressive 29 tries in the Super League season, putting him within striking distance of the all‑time single‑season record of 40 tries set by Castleford’s Denny Solomona back in 2016. If Sivo returns before the season concludes, he still has a realistic chance of adding to his tally, but the six‑week lay‑off will make that task considerably more difficult.
The Rhinos will have to rely on other attacking options to maintain their scoring momentum while Sivo recovers. Leeds’ victory was also highlighted by James McDonnell, who celebrated his 100th Super League appearance by crossing the line twice. Fellow teammates Jarrod O'Connor, Tom Holroyd, Brodie Croft, Cooper Jenkins and Kallum Watkins each contributed a try, underscoring the depth of Leeds’ attacking roster. The win moved Leeds two points clear at the top of the Super League table, bringing their total to 32 points after 20 games, ahead of rivals Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors.
Bradford, on the other hand, endured their sixth loss in seven top‑flight matches. They briefly took the lead when Guy Armitage expertly collected a Chris Atkin kick and scored, but Leeds responded swiftly through McDonnell, even as the team grappled with the news of Sivo’s injury. Jake Connor had a try disallowed for a double movement, but he later set up another score for McDonnell, and O'Connor extended Leeds’ halftime lead to 18‑6. After the break, Bradford managed to pull one back when Ethan Ryan secured a high ball, linked up with Atkin, and crossed the line.
However, Leeds quickly re‑asserted control when Tom 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 role as a reliable point‑scorer. The result also had implications for the lower half of the table. Bradford now sit 12th with 12 points, two points ahead of Hull FC and six points clear of bottom‑placed Huddersfield Giants.
Their recent form suggests they will need to tighten both defense and attack if they hope to climb out of the relegation zone. Looking ahead, Leeds will be keen to manage Sivo’s rehabilitation carefully. The typical recovery timeline for a plated forearm fracture ranges from six to eight weeks, but modern sports medicine can sometimes accelerate the process with targeted physiotherapy and strength conditioning. Should Sivo be cleared to play before the season’s final rounds, he could still add a handful of tries, potentially finishing the campaign with a tally in the low‑30s—a remarkable achievement nonetheless.
Beyond the immediate injury concerns, Sivo’s situation highlights the physical toll that a high‑intensity rugby league season can exact on its most dynamic players. Wingers like Sivo are often involved in high‑speed collisions and frequent tackling, making them susceptible to both soft‑tissue and bony injuries.
Teams now invest heavily in monitoring player workload, using GPS tracking and biomechanical analysis to mitigate injury risk, but the unpredictable nature of contact sport means that accidents can still happen. For Leeds fans, the focus will now shift to maintaining their lead at the top of the table while awaiting news on Sivo’s progress. The Rhinos have a deep roster capable of producing points from multiple sources, and the coaching staff will likely rotate the squad to keep players fresh for the crucial fixtures ahead. Meanwhile, the broader Super League community will keep a close eye on whether Sivo can return in time to challenge Solomona’s longstanding record, adding an extra narrative thread to the closing stages of the season.
Sky Sports continues to broadcast every Super League match live this season, offering fans comprehensive coverage, analysis, and exclusive content through its app and WhatsApp updates. The league’s latest table shows Leeds firmly in the lead, but with only a handful of games remaining, the race for the championship and individual accolades such as the try‑scoring record remains wide open.