The 2026 Super League Dream Team has been announced, and it features a striking six‑player contingent from the Leeds Rhinos. The Dream Team was compiled using a three‑part voting system: half of the points came from the Man of Steel panel, a further 30 percent was contributed by a curated group of rugby league journalists, and the remaining 20 percent reflected the choices of Super League supporters.
When the votes were tallied, the final eleven comprised six Rhinos, two Wigan Warriors, two Leigh Leopards, and one each from Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves and Toulouse Olympique. Many observers might find the relatively modest representation of the Warriors surprising, especially considering that they have already secured a domestic double and are still in contention for a historic treble should they reach the Grand Final. Brad Arthur’s Rhinos, on the other hand, spent most of the campaign soaring high before a late‑season stumble against Matt Peet’s Wigan side saw them finish second overall. Four of the selected players have earned Dream Team honours before, while the remaining seven are newcomers to this elite list.
Below is a detailed look at each of the chosen athletes, why they stood out during the regular season, and what their inclusion says about the balance of power in the 2026 competition. --- **Full‑back: Jack Miller (Leeds Rhinos)** Miller’s 2026 campaign has been nothing short of electrifying. Operating out of the full‑back position, he topped the Man of Steel points tally for the first nine rounds and remained a strong contender for the award through the middle portion of the season.
His combination of blistering pace, precise timing, and an uncanny ability to link up with the Rhinos’ half‑backs made him a constant threat in broken‑play situations. Unfortunately, a severe hamstring injury in the latter stages of the season forced him out for the remainder of the campaign, leaving fans to wonder how much further his influence could have taken Leeds in the playoffs. Despite the setback, his contributions earned him the Dream Team spot as the league’s most consistent full‑back. **Full‑back (cont.): Jai Field (Wigan Warriors)** Field also performed admirably in the full‑back role for Wigan, but Miller’s overall consistency and impact gave him the edge in the final selection.
--- **Wing: Maika Sivo (Leeds Rhinos)** Sivo’s season was a showcase of try‑scoring prowess. Before a forearm injury in round 20, he amassed an astonishing 29 tries, finishing as the Super League’s top try‑scorer despite missing six games.
His ability to finish from almost any position on the field, combined with his raw power and speed, made him a nightmare for opposition defenses. The fact that he still topped the charts after an extended lay‑off underscores just how dominant he was when fit. **Wing: Ethan Eckersley (Wigan Warriors)** Eckersley proved to be a reliable try‑scoring option for Wigan, crossing the line 27 times – only two shy of Sivo’s total.
Over the course of the season he developed into a winger that the Warriors could trust in both attack and defence, delivering metres, making crucial tackles and providing a steady outlet on the edges. --- **Centres: Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos) & Umyla Hanley (Leeds Rhinos)** Handley, the Rhinos’ captain, has been a dominant force in the centre throughout the year. His blend of power, speed and ball‑handling made him extremely difficult to contain, and his leadership on the field helped Leeds maintain a high level of performance.
Hanley, despite playing only 16 games due to an early‑season injury, returned in spectacular fashion. His post‑injury form was so impressive that he earned a call‑up to the England squad ahead of the World Cup, and he secured back‑to‑back Dream Team selections, a testament to his fierce competitiveness and impact when on the field. --- **Stand‑off: Brodie Croft (Leeds Rhinos)** Croft’s playmaking abilities have been a key component of Leeds’ attacking structure. Remarkably, he finished the season second on the try‑scoring list with 28 tries, just one behind his own winger, Sivo.
His knack for finding gaps, supporting breaks and capitalising on scoring opportunities earned him a return to the Dream Team after a four‑year absence. --- **Scrum‑half: Jake Connor (Leeds Rhinos)** Connor, the reigning Man of Steel, was the league’s assist king in 2026, handing out a staggering 43 assists – a full 14 more than the runner‑up, Jackson Hastings.
His vision, quick distribution and accurate kicking have been pivotal for Leeds, turning his consistency into decisive moments in big games. Connor’s performance also highlighted the depth of talent at scrum‑half, with Harry Smith emerging as a strong contender for the position throughout the season. --- **Hooker: Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors)** O’Neill has been the defensive lynchpin for Wigan, delivering relentless tackling and a measured aggression that has set him apart as the standout hooker of the year.
His presence stabilises the Warriors’ middle third, and the team’s performance noticeably dips when he is not on the field. Wakefield’s Tyson Smoothy also impressed at hooker, but O’Neill’s influence was decisive in earning the Dream Team nod. --- **Prop: Caleb Hamlin‑Uele (Wakefield Trinity)** Hamlin‑Uele was a near‑constant figure in a Wakefield side that achieved its highest ever Super League finish. His hard‑running metres, defensive solidity and selection for the England squad ahead of the World Cup underscored his importance.
He consistently provided forward momentum and defensive reliability when it mattered most. --- **Prop: Joe Ofahengaue (Leigh Leopards)** Ofahengaue emerged as Leigh’s standout forward, ranking among the league’s top gain‑makers.
His ability to offload in contact kept the Leopards’ attack fluid and dangerous, ensuring that the ball never felt dead when he was in possession. --- **Second‑Row: Mathieu Jussaume (Toulouse Olympique)** Jussaume made history by becoming the first Toulouse Olympique player to earn a Dream Team spot.
He has been a cornerstone of the French side’s defensive line, excelling in marker tackles and carrying the ball with strength, thereby opening attacking channels for his teammates. --- **Second‑Row: James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos)** McDonnell secured his fourth Dream Team appearance, joining the ranks of Connor, Croft and Hanley as repeat selections. Known for his relentless work rate, McDonnell consistently delivers the hard yards and provides a physical presence that Leeds heavily relies upon. The team’s overall performance noticeably improves when he is on the field, reflecting his value.
--- **Second‑Row: Junior Nsemba (Leeds Rhinos) & Isaiah Vagana (Leeds Rhinos)** Both Nsemba and Vagana earned recognition for their contributions in the second‑row, adding depth to a Leeds forward pack that has been instrumental in the club’s success this season. --- **Loose Forward: Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)** Currie’s relentless tackling, high work‑rate in both defensive and offensive sets, and leadership qualities earned him a spot at loose forward for the Wolves, who finished third in the league. His consistency and ability to inspire teammates have made him a true talisman for Warrington.
--- The Dream Team announcement also hinted at other notable performances that just missed out, such as Oli Partington’s sensational year for Wigan, which likely placed him high in the voting tallies. **Upcoming Play‑off Fixtures** - Friday 18 September: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards – 8 pm (Sky Sports) - Saturday 19 September: Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR – 5:30 pm (Sky Sports) - Semi‑Final 1 – Friday 25 September: Leeds Rhinos vs TBC – 8 pm (Sky Sports) - Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday 26 September: Wigan Warriors vs TBC – 5:30 pm (Sky Sports) The Super League playoffs kick off on Friday 18 September and will run through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, with all matches broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The selections highlight Leeds Rhinos’ depth and the impact of their key players, while also showcasing the talent spread across the rest of the league, setting the stage for an exciting postseason.