The 2026 Super League Dream Team has been announced, and it features a striking six‑player contingent from the Leeds Rhinos. The selection process blended three distinct voting groups: the Man of Steel panel contributed half of the total weight, a curated panel of rugby league journalists accounted for 30 percent, and the remaining 20 percent came from the league's passionate fan base. When the votes were tallied, the final line‑up comprised six Leeds representatives, two each from the Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards, and single entries from Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves and Toulouse Olympique.
Many observers found the relatively modest presence of the Warriors surprising, especially considering they had already secured a domestic double and were still in contention for a historic treble should they reach the Grand Final. Brad Arthur’s Rhinos, on the other hand, enjoyed a season of soaring performances for most of the campaign before stumbling against Matt Peet’s Wigan side and ultimately slipping to a second‑place finish. Four of the chosen players have previously earned Dream Team honors, while the remaining nine are newcomers to this elite group.
Below is a detailed look at each of the athletes who have been deemed the best performers over the regular 2026 Super League season. **Full‑back – Leeds' Jack Miller** Miller has been a revelation in the full‑back role this year, combining blistering speed with a keen eye for attacking opportunities. He led the Man of Steel voting after the first nine rounds and remained a strong contender throughout the middle portion of the season.
Unfortunately, a severe hamstring injury curtailed his campaign, leaving fans to wonder how much further his influence could have stretched into the playoffs. His partnership with the Rhinos’ half‑backs produced electrifying moments, and his ability to exploit gaps in broken‑play situations made him a nightmare for opposition defenses. While Wigan’s Jai Field also performed admirably at full‑back, Miller’s consistency across the season earned him the top spot in the Dream Team.
**Wing – Leeds' Maika Sivo** Sivo’s year can only be described as sensational. Before a forearm injury forced him out in round 20, he was crossing the try‑line at an astonishing rate, finishing as the league’s leading try‑scorer with 29 tries. Remarkably, he achieved this tally despite missing six matches, underscoring his lethal finishing ability.
His blend of power, pace, and positional awareness made him a constant threat on the edges, and his performances were a key factor in Leeds’ offensive firepower. **Wing – Wigan’s Thomas Eckersley** Eckersley emerged as a reliable try‑scoring outlet for the Warriors, amassing 27 tries – just two shy of Sivo’s total. Over the course of the season he proved himself a dependable finisher and a player Wigan could count on in both attack and defence.
His work rate on the flank, combined with solid defensive contributions, cemented his place among the league’s elite wingers. **Centres – Leeds’ Ash Handley and Leigh’s Umyla Hanley** Handley, the Rhinos’ captain, dominated the centre positions for the majority of the campaign. His blend of physicality, speed and ball‑handling made him a difficult player to contain, and his leadership on the field was evident in every match.
Hanley, despite featuring in only 16 games due to a mid‑season injury, returned in spectacular form. His resurgence earned him a call‑up to the England squad ahead of the World Cup and secured his second consecutive Dream Team selection. Leigh coach Adrian Lam praised Hanley as the most "fierce" competitor he has ever faced, a testament to his impact when fit.
**Stand‑off – Leeds’ Brodie Croft** Croft’s playmaking abilities shone brightly this season, and he finished second overall in the try‑scoring charts with 28 scores, just one behind Sivo. His knack for finding space and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates earned him a return to the Dream Team after a four‑year absence. Croft’s vision and timing at stand‑off were instrumental in Leeds’ attacking structure.
**Scrum‑half – Leeds’ Jake Connor (Man of Steel)** Connor captured the Man of Steel award and secured a back‑to‑back Dream Team berth thanks to his unrivalled playmaking record. He racked up an astonishing 43 assists, a figure 14 more than the next best creator, Jackson Hastings.
Connor’s precise kicking game and ability to dictate tempo were pivotal for Leeds throughout the season, and his consistency will be vital as the Rhinos aim for playoff success. Harry Smith of Leeds also enjoyed a strong year and was a noteworthy contender for the scrum‑half slot. **Hooker – Wigan’s Brad O'Neill** O'Neill was a near‑constant presence in the Warriors’ pack, providing a blend of defensive solidity and measured aggression. His performances placed him at the top of the hooker rankings for the year.
While Wakefield’s Tyson Smoothy also impressed, O'Neill’s influence was such that Wigan’s overall performance dipped noticeably whenever he was off the field. **Prop – Wakefield’s Caleb Hamlin‑Uele** Hamlin‑Uele played a vital role in Wakefield’s historic best‑ever Super League finish.
His relentless meter‑gaining runs and defensive reliability earned him an England squad call‑up ahead of the World Cup. He consistently delivered forward momentum in crucial moments, helping his side compete with the league’s elite. **Prop – Leigh’s Joe Ofahengaue** Ofahengaue proved to be Leigh’s standout forward, regularly ranking among the top gain‑makers.
His ability to offload in contact kept the attack fluid and ensured that the ball remained in play, creating continuous pressure on opponents. **Second‑Row – Toulouse Olympique’s Mathieu Jussaume** Jussaume made history as the first Toulouse Olympique player to be named in a Dream Team. He anchored the defensive line with strong marker tackles and contributed significant ball‑carrying power, often breaking the line to set up attacking opportunities for his teammates. **Second‑Row – Leeds’ James McDonnell** McDonnell secured his fourth Dream Team appearance, joining Connor, Croft and Hanley as repeat selections.
His consistency and hard‑working ethic made him a cornerstone of the Rhinos’ forward pack. When he was unavailable, Leeds visibly missed his physical presence and ball‑carrying ability. **Second‑Row – Junior Nsemba (Leeds) and Isaiah Vagana (Leeds)** Both Nsemba and Vagana delivered impressive performances throughout the season, providing depth and impact in the Rhinos’ back‑row.
**Loose Forward – Warrington Wolves’ Ben Currie** Currie earned his place at loose forward after a standout year for the third‑placed Wolves. He was among the league’s leaders in total tackles and marker tackles, and his consistency made him a talismanic figure in Sam Burgess’ side.
His leadership qualities were evident both on and off the field. The Dream Team announcement also hinted at other notable performers, such as Oli Partington, who likely garnered significant votes after an outstanding season for Wigan. The playoff schedule is set to commence on Friday, 18 September, with Wakefield Trinity hosting Leigh Leopards at 8 pm on Sky Sports, followed by Warrington Wolves versus Hull KR on Saturday, 19 September at 5:30 pm.
The semi‑finals will feature Leeds Rhinos on Friday, 25 September at 8 pm, and Wigan Warriors on Saturday, 26 September at 5:30 pm, both broadcast live. The climax of the season, the Grand Final, will take place at Old Trafford on 3 October, concluding a thrilling 2026 Super League campaign.