Leeds demonstrated why they are the team to beat in the Super League, pulling off a nail‑biting 24‑22 comeback win over Wakefield at the packed DIY Kitchens Stadium. The decisive moment came when Chris Hankinson crossed the try line and then added the conversion, sealing a thrilling victory that underscored Leeds' championship pedigree.
The match opened with a flash of brilliance from former Leeds half‑back Jack Sinfield, the son of club legend Kevin Sinfield. After being released by the Rhinos at the end of the previous season, Jack returned to face his old side with a point to prove. Within the first eight minutes of the first half, he supplied the creative spark for two of Wakefield’s three early tries, helping the hosts surge to a 16‑0 lead.
His vision and passing ability were on full display, and his contributions set the tone for what looked like a dominant performance by Wakefield. However, the tide began to turn at halftime. Sinfield, who had been substituted after his early heroics, re‑entered the fray in the second half and scored a try that pushed Wakefield’s advantage to 22‑6. That score gave Trinity (Wakefield’s nickname) a glimmer of hope that they could match Leeds on points and perhaps climb the table.
Yet Leeds, sitting comfortably at the top of the league, responded with a surge of intensity during the final thirty minutes. James McDonnell and Cameron Smith each found the try line while Sinfield was briefly off the field, and even after the 21‑year‑old returned, the momentum was firmly with Leeds. The decisive play came when Jake Connor delivered a low kick that Hankinson collected, darting over the line to make it 24‑22. Connor then slotted his fourth conversion of the night in the 78th minute, giving Leeds a two‑point cushion and the win.
Leeds now sit four points clear of their West Yorkshire rivals at the summit of the Super League table, having snapped Wakefield’s impressive seven‑match winning streak. The early phases of the game saw Leeds pressing hard, with three goal‑line drop‑outs after Connor’s 40‑20 kick. Sinfield was among the three defenders who forced Wakefield captain Ash Handley into touch, temporarily relieving pressure on the Leeds defense. When Wakefield finally broke free and launched an attack, Sinfield’s lofted pass over the top spun past defender Lachie Miller, allowing Isaiah Vagana to score the opening try.
That early lead seemed to set the stage for a Wakefield victory, but Leeds’ resilience shone through. Powerful prop Caius Faatili made an immediate impact off the bench, bulldozing through the Leeds line before off‑loading to Caleb Hamlin‑Uele, who dived under the posts. Sinfield’s dummy and off‑load later saw Jayden Myers touch down in the corner, cementing Wakefield’s 16‑0 lead after just 29 minutes of play.
Sinfield missed his third conversion, and Wakefield’s momentum stalled before the break. Leeds seized the opportunity when Brodie Croft exploited a gap in the defensive line, sending the ball through for Leeds’ first points of the match. The second half began with Wakefield still the quicker side.
Sinfield collected a pass from Faatili, feigned a move wide, and powered through two defenders to score a try that was upheld by the video referee despite some controversy over the grounding. He also added the conversion, extending Wakefield’s lead. Shortly after, however, Sinfield left the field again, and Leeds pounced.
Although Alfie Edgell’s foot was dragged into touch after a grounding and Jarrod O’Connor was held up over the line, James McDonnell kept his composure and scored with thirty minutes remaining. Wakefield‑bound Cameron Smith showcased the kind of talent his future club will inherit, slipping past his teammates and exploiting a gap to score. Jake Connor’s third conversion narrowed the deficit to four points, keeping Leeds within striking distance. When Sinfield returned, Cameron Scott had a chance to widen Wakefield’s lead, but his foot was forced into touch before he could ground the ball.
From that point onward, the game became a one‑way street for Leeds, who pressed forward with renewed vigor in the final quarter. Leeds’ captain Ash Handley was denied a try after a high ball from Croft resulted in a knock‑on, but the visitors were not denied for long. Hankinson touched down after a clever grubber from Connor, and Connor’s conversion sailed between the posts, putting Leeds ahead for the first time with just three minutes left on the clock.
In other Super League action, Hull KR delivered a crushing blow to Castleford, scoring eight tries in a 44‑0 demolition at the OneBore Stadium. Castleford were without head coach Ryan Carr, who was absent for personal reasons, and entered the match after a dismal run of five defeats in six games. The Rovers, chasing a playoff spot, exploded in the second half, with Tom Davies and Tyrone May each scoring two tries.
Jez Litten opened the scoring after a 12‑minute exchange, and the floodgates opened after May’s 45th‑minute try, leading to a rapid succession of scores that left Castleford shell‑shocked. Meanwhile, the Leigh Leopards bolstered their playoff aspirations with a 22‑14 victory over York Knights. Leigh held a narrow 12‑10 lead at halftime thanks to tries from Josh Charnley and Joe Ofahengaue, while York’s Jon Bennison crossed twice. In the second half, Leigh extended their advantage with tries from Andy Badrock and David Armstrong, pushing the score to 22‑10.
York fought back, with Bennison completing a hat‑trick late in the game, but it was insufficient to overturn Leigh’s lead. The win moved Adrian Lam’s side to 28 points in sixth place, four points clear of St Helens in seventh. Overall, the weekend’s fixtures highlighted Leeds’ capacity to overturn deficits and cement their dominance, while Hull KR’s offensive firepower reminded the league of their threat. Leigh’s steady climb up the table keeps the playoff race wide open, and fans can look forward to more high‑stakes encounters as the season progresses.
Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League game live this season, with two matches each round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five available on Sky Sports+.