The 2026 Super League Dream Team has been announced, and it features a remarkable six‑player contingent from the Leeds Rhinos. The selection process blended three distinct voting blocks: the Man of Steel panel contributed half of the total weight, a curated group of rugby league journalists supplied 30%, and the remaining 20% came from the league’s passionate fan base. When the votes were tallied, the final roster showcased six Rhinos alongside two representatives each from the Wigan Warriors and Leigh Leopards, plus one player each from Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves and Toulouse Olympique. The relatively modest presence of the Warriors on the Dream Team may raise eyebrows, especially considering they have already secured a domestic double and are eyeing a potential treble if they manage to reach the Grand Final.
Brad Arthur’s side enjoyed a dominant spell for most of the campaign, only to stumble in the decisive clash against Matt Peet’s squad, ultimately finishing as runners‑up. Four of the selected players have previously earned Dream Team honours, while the remaining nine are newcomers to this elite list. Below is an in‑depth look at each of the standout performers who have been judged the best of the regular season. **Full‑back – Leeds' Jack Miller** Miller has been a revelation in 2026, flourishing in the full‑back role and consistently topping the Man of Steel leaderboard during the first nine rounds.
He remained a strong contender for the award throughout the middle portion of the season as well. Unfortunately, a season‑ending hamstring tear has ruled him out of the playoffs, leaving supporters to wonder how much further his influence could have propelled Leeds. His combination play with the halves has been electrifying, and his blistering speed makes 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 top honour in this position. **Wing – Maika Sivo (Leeds)** Before a forearm injury in round 20 curtailed his campaign, Sivo was on a try‑scoring tear, finishing the season as the league’s leading try‑scorer with 29 tries. Remarkably, he achieved this tally despite missing six games, underscoring his lethal finishing ability.
His power, footwork and uncanny knack for finding the try‑line made him a constant threat for opponents. **Wing – Elliot Eckersley (Wigan)** Eckersley has emerged as a reliable try‑scoring outlet on the wing for the Warriors, crossing the line 27 times – just two shy of Sivo’s total. Over the course of the year he has become a player the Wigan side can count on in every phase of play, contributing both metres and defensive solidity. **Centres – Ash Handley (Leeds) and Umyla Hanley (Leeds)** Handley, the Rhinos’ captain, has been the dominant centre for most of the season.
His blend of size, speed and power has made him extremely difficult to stop, and his leadership on the field has been evident in Leeds’ strong performances. Hanley, despite playing only 16 matches 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 spot in the Dream Team for the second consecutive year.
Coach Adrian Lam praised Hanley as the fiercest competitor he has ever faced, a sentiment reflected in his on‑field displays. **Stand‑off – Brodie Croft (Leeds)** Croft’s playmaking abilities have been pivotal, and he finished the season second overall in try‑scoring with 28 tries – just one behind his own winger, Sivo.
His knack for spotting gaps and creating scoring opportunities has seen him return to the Dream Team after a four‑year absence, highlighting his resurgence as a key architect of Leeds’ attacking structure. **Scrum‑half – Jake Connor (Leeds)** Connor, the reigning Man of Steel, led the league with an astonishing 43 assists, a margin of 14 more than the next best, Jackson Hastings. His precise kicking game and vision have been instrumental in Leeds’ offensive consistency, and his back‑to‑back Dream Team selections underline his elite status.
Fellow contender Harry Smith also enjoyed a strong season and was mentioned as a notable alternative for the role. **Hooker – Brad O'Neill (Wigan)** O'Neill has been a near‑constant presence in Wigan’s spine, anchoring the defensive steel of a side poised to claim the title. His tackling numbers are among the highest in the competition, and his aggression has become more measured and effective.
When O'Neill is off the field, Wigan’s performance noticeably dips, underscoring his importance. Wakefield’s Tyson Smoothy also impressed at hooker, but O'Neill’s influence remained decisive. **Prop – Caleb Hamlin‑Uele (Wakefield)** Hamlin‑Uele has been a workhorse for a Wakefield side that achieved its highest 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 provided forward momentum at crucial moments.
**Prop – Joe Ofahengaue (Leigh)** Ofahengaue has arguably been Leigh’s standout player of the year. His powerful carries rank among the league’s best, and his off‑load ability ensures that the attack never stalls when he is in possession. His contributions have been vital to Leigh’s competitive edge throughout the season.
**Second‑row – Mathieu Jussaume (Toulouse Olympique)** Jussaume’s selection marks a historic first: he is the inaugural Toulouse Olympique player to make the Dream Team. Known for his solid defensive work, especially in marker tackles, he also carries the ball with impressive strength, opening up attacking avenues for his side. **Second‑row – James McDonnell (Leeds)** McDonnell earns his fourth Dream Team nod, joining Connor, Croft and Hanley as repeat honorees. His consistency and hard‑running style have been the backbone of Leeds’ forward pack.
When he is absent, the Rhinos visibly lose some of their forward momentum. **Loose Forward – Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)** Currie’s relentless tackling and work rate earned him a place at loose forward for the third‑placed Wolves.
He ranks among the league’s leaders in total and marker tackles, providing a steadying presence for Sam Burgess’s side. His leadership qualities have made him a talismanic figure throughout the campaign.
Other notable mentions include Junior Nsemba and Isaiah Vagana, who impressed in their respective roles, and Oli Partington, who likely received a strong vote tally after an outstanding season for Wigan. The playoffs commence on Friday, 18 September, with live coverage on Sky Sports, and will continue through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October. Upcoming fixtures include Wakefield Trinity versus Leigh Leopards (18 Sept, 8 pm), Warrington Wolves versus Hull KR (19 Sept, 5:30 pm), and the semi‑finals featuring Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors on 25 and 26 September respectively.
The Dream Team selections highlight the depth of talent across the league and set the stage for an exciting climax to the 2026 Super League season.