The 2026 Super League Dream Team has been announced, and it features an impressive six‑player contingent from the Leeds Rhinos. The selection process blended three distinct voting blocs: the Man of Steel panel contributed half of the total weight, a curated group of rugby league journalists accounted for 30%, and the remaining 20% came from the league's passionate fan base. When the votes were tallied, the final lineup 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 given that they have already secured a domestic double and are eyeing a potential treble should they advance to the Grand Final. Brad Arthur’s Rhinos, on the other hand, enjoyed a season of sustained excellence, soaring high for most of the campaign before stumbling against Matt Peet’s side and ultimately finishing as runners‑up.
Four of the selected players have earned Dream Team honors in previous years, while the remaining nine are newcomers to this elite group. Below is a detailed look at each of the athletes who have been crowned the best performers of the regular 2026 Super League season.
**Full‑back – Leeds' Jack Miller** Miller has been a revelation in 2026, flourishing in the full‑back role. He topped the Man of Steel leaderboard for the first nine rounds and remained a strong contender throughout the middle third of the season. Unfortunately, a severe hamstring injury forced him out for the remainder of the campaign, leaving fans to wonder how much further his influence could have extended into the playoffs.
His partnership with the Rhinos’ halves was electrifying, and his blistering speed made him a nightmare to contain in broken‑play situations. While Wigan’s Jai Field also performed admirably at full‑back, Miller’s consistency earned him the nod as the competition’s most reliable option.
**Wing – Leeds' Maika Sivo** Sivo’s year was nothing short of spectacular. Before a forearm injury in round 20 curtailed his season, he amassed an astonishing 29 tries, finishing as the league’s top try‑scorer despite missing six matches. His ability to find the try line at such a prolific rate underscored his status as a true try‑scoring phenom.
The sheer volume of his points contributed heavily to Leeds’ offensive firepower. **Wing – Wigan’s Elliot Eckersley** Eckersley has emerged as a dependable try‑scorer for the Warriors, crossing the line 27 times – just two shy of Sivo’s total. Over the course of the season he has developed into a winger that Wigan can rely on in every facet of the game, offering both defensive solidity and attacking flair.
**Centres – Leeds' Ash Handley and Leigh’s Umyla Hanley** Handley, the Rhinos’ captain, dominated the centre positions for the bulk of the season. His combination of raw power, speed and relentless work rate made him a constant threat to opposition defenses.
Hanley, despite featuring in only 16 matches due to a mid‑season injury, returned in spectacular form, earning a call‑up to the England squad ahead of the World Cup. His performances were so compelling that Leigh’s head coach Adrian Lam praised him as the fiercest competitor he has ever encountered, a sentiment reflected in Hanley’s back‑to‑back Dream Team selections. **Stand‑off – Leeds' Brodie Croft** Croft’s playmaking prowess earned him a place at stand‑off.
Remarkably, he finished the season as the second‑highest try‑scorer in the league with 28 tries, just one behind his own winger Sivo. His knack for appearing at the right moment to score points has been a hallmark of his game, and his return to the Dream Team marks his first appearance in four years. **Scrum‑half – Leeds' Jake Connor (Man of Steel)** Connor clinched the prestigious Man of Steel award and secured his second consecutive Dream Team slot. He led the league with an astonishing 43 assists, a margin of 14 more than the next best, Jackson Hastings.
His tactical kicking and vision were instrumental in Leeds’ attacking structures, and his consistency will be crucial as the Rhinos aim to translate regular‑season success into playoff glory. Harry Smith also enjoyed a strong season and was a notable contender for the scrum‑half position.
**Hooker – Wigan’s Brad O'Neill** O'Neill was a near‑constant presence for the Warriors, anchoring their defensive steel. His tackling numbers were among the best in the competition, and his aggression became more measured and effective as the season progressed.
Wakefield’s Tyson Smoothy offered a solid alternative, but O'Neill’s influence was such that Wigan’s performance noticeably dipped when he was off the field. **Prop – Wakefield’s Caleb Hamlin‑Uele** Hamlin‑Uele played a pivotal role in Wakefield’s historic best‑ever league finish.
His powerful carries and relentless meter‑gaining runs provided the platform for the team’s attacking momentum. Selected for the England squad ahead of the World Cup, he combined defensive reliability with forward thrust, making him a dual‑threat prop.
**Prop – Leigh’s Joe Ofahengaue** Ofahengaue arguably emerged as Leigh’s standout player of the year. His high‑impact runs placed him among the league’s top gainers, and his off‑load ability kept the attack alive even under pressure, ensuring that the team’s forward momentum never stalled. **Second‑Row – Toulouse Olympique’s Mathieu Jussaume** Jussaume’s inclusion marks a historic first for Toulouse Olympique, as he becomes the inaugural player from the French club to earn Dream Team honors.
He has been a cornerstone of their defensive line, excelling in marker tackles while also contributing significant ball‑carrying strength that helped open up attacking opportunities. **Second‑Row – Leeds’ James McDonnell** McDonnell secured his fourth Dream Team appearance, joining the likes of Connor, Croft and Hanley as repeat honorees. His consistency and hard‑working ethos epitomised the Rhinos’ forward play, and his absence was always felt when Leeds lost his hard‑running presence. **Loose Forward – Warrington Wolves’ Ben Currie** Currie earned a place at loose forward after a standout season for the Wolves, who finished third overall.
He ranked among the league’s leaders in total tackles and marker tackles, providing a steady, leadership‑filled presence in Sam Burgess’ side. His influence on and off the field cemented his status as a talismanic figure. The Dream Team also featured notable performances from Junior Nsemba and Isaiah Vagana in the forward pack, while Oli Partington received strong vote support after an impressive campaign for Wigan.
The Super League playoffs kick off on Friday, September 18, with Wakefield Trinity traveling to Leigh Leopards, followed by Warrington Wolves versus Hull KR on Saturday. The semi‑finals are slated for September 25 and 26, culminating in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3, where the season’s ultimate champion will be crowned.