The 2026 Super League Dream Team has been announced, and it is clear that the Leeds Rhinos have left an indelible mark on the season, supplying six of the fifteen spots on the elite lineup. The selection process for the Dream Team was a three‑part formula that blended the opinions of the Man of Steel panel (accounting for half of the total weight), a curated cohort of rugby league journalists (contributing 30 percent), and the passionate Super League fanbase (providing the remaining 20 percent). When the votes were tallied, the final roster featured six Rhinos, two Wigan Warriors, two Leigh Leopards, and single representatives from Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves and Toulouse Olympique.
The relatively modest presence of the Warriors on the Dream Team may raise eyebrows, especially considering that they have already secured a domestic double and are still in contention for a historic treble if they advance to the Grand Final. Brad Arthur’s Rhinos, on the other hand, enjoyed a season of sustained excellence, soaring high for the bulk of the campaign before stumbling against Matt Peet’s Wigan side and ultimately slipping to a second‑place finish. Four of the selected players have earned Dream Team honors in previous years, while the remaining nine are newcomers to this distinguished group. Below is a detailed look at each of the chosen athletes, their contributions during the regular season, and why they stood out among their peers.
**Full‑back – Elliot Miller (Leeds Rhinos)** Miller has been a revelation at full‑back throughout 2026, combining blistering speed with an instinctive ability to link up with his halves. He led the Man of Steel voting after the first nine rounds and remained a strong contender for the award during the latter half of the season.
Unfortunately, a season‑ending hamstring tear curtailed his campaign just as the playoffs approached, leaving fans to speculate on the impact he might have had in the knockout stages. His partnership with the Rhinos’ play‑makers produced countless line‑breaks, and his ability to finish broken‑play opportunities made him a nightmare for opposition defenses.
**Full‑back – Jai Field (Wigan Warriors)** While Field also performed admirably in the full‑back role, Miller’s consistency across the whole season earned him the top spot in the Dream Team. Field’s contributions, however, were still vital to Wigan’s success, providing a reliable attacking outlet and solid defensive cover. **Wing – Maika Sivo (Leeds Rhinos)** Sivo’s 2026 campaign can be described as nothing short of spectacular.
Despite missing six matches due to a forearm injury sustained in round 20, he still finished as the league’s leading try‑scorer with 29 tries, a testament to his lethal finishing ability. His rate of scoring was almost otherworldly, and each time he touched the ball, a try seemed imminent. Sivo’s combination of power, speed, and uncanny positional sense made him a constant threat on the edge.
**Wing – Elliot Eckersley (Wigan Warriors)** Eckersley complemented Sivo’s heroics with his own impressive tally of 27 tries. Over the season he evolved into a dependable winger who could be counted on for both attack and defense, delivering metres, securing the ball under pressure and contributing crucial points when needed. **Centre – Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos)** The Rhinos’ captain, Handley, has been the dominant force in the centre channel for most of the year. His blend of raw power, speed and leadership has made him one of the hardest players to contain.
Handley’s ability to break tackles and generate post‑contact momentum has created countless opportunities for his teammates, and his defensive work rate has set a benchmark for the entire league. **Centre – Umyla Hanley (Leeds Rhinos)** Hanley’s season was a story of resilience and resurgence. After a serious injury limited him to just 16 appearances, he returned in spectacular form, earning a call‑up to the England squad ahead of the World Cup. His performances were so compelling that he secured back‑to‑back selections in the Dream Team, a rare achievement that underscores his impact when on the field.
**Stand‑off – Brodie Croft (Leeds Rhinos)** Croft’s play‑making prowess shone brightly this season. He finished second overall in try‑scoring with 28 strikes, just one shy of Sivo, highlighting his knack for finding the try‑line himself as well as creating chances for others. Croft’s vision, kicking accuracy and ability to exploit defensive gaps 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 top assister, delivering an astonishing 43 try assists – a margin of 14 more than the second‑placed Jackson Hastings. His strategic kicking game and crisp distribution have been pivotal in Leeds’ attacking structure, and his consistency will be vital as the Rhinos aim to translate regular‑season dominance into playoff success. **Hooker – Brad O'Neill (Wigan Warriors)** O'Neill has been the defensive cornerstone for Wigan, offering relentless work rate, disciplined aggression and a high tackle count.
His presence stabilises the Warriors’ middle third, and his absence is felt immediately when the team’s performance dips. Wakefield’s Tyson Smoothy also impressed at hooker, but O'Neill’s influence on a title‑contending side set him apart. **Prop – Caleb Hamlin‑Uele (Wakefield Trinity)** Hamlin‑Uele played a key role in Wakefield’s historic best‑ever Super League finish. His powerful carries and defensive solidity earned him an England call‑up ahead of the World Cup.
He consistently generated forward momentum, turning tough defensive sets into attacking platforms. **Prop – Joe Ofahengaue (Leigh Leopards)** Ofahengaue emerged as Leigh’s standout forward, regularly topping the metres‑gained charts and providing a dangerous off‑load option that kept the opposition defence honest. His work rate and ball‑handling ability made him a dual threat in both attack and defence.
**Second‑Row – Mathieu Jussaume (Toulouse Olympique)** Jussaume made history as the first Toulouse Olympique player to be named in a Super League Dream Team. He excelled as a defensive marker, consistently making crucial tackles, while also carrying the ball effectively to open up attacking opportunities for his side. **Second‑Row – James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos)** McDonnell secured his fourth Dream Team appearance, joining Connor, Croft and Hanley as repeat honourees.
Known for his relentless work ethic, McDonnell’s hard‑running style and high tackle count make him a vital engine for the Rhinos. When he is off the field, Leeds noticeably lose a degree of forward momentum. **Second‑Row – Junior Nsemba (Leeds Rhinos)** Nsemba’s performances earned him recognition alongside his more experienced teammates, showcasing the depth of talent within the Rhinos’ pack.
**Second‑Row – Isaiah Vagana (Leeds Rhinos)** Vagana contributed solid minutes in the back‑row, adding to the Rhinos’ overall defensive resilience and providing useful ball‑carrying options. **Loose Forward – Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)** Currie’s relentless tackling, especially in the marker role, and his consistent work rate earned him a place at loose forward for the Wolves, who finished third in the league. His leadership on the field has been described as talismanic, and his inclusion reflects his importance to Warrington’s campaign. **Additional Mentions** While Oli Partington was not selected, his standout year for Wigan placed him high in the voting, indicating the depth of talent across the competition.
The Dream Team selection sets the stage for an exciting playoff series. The Super League playoffs commence on Friday, 18 September, with live coverage on Sky Sports, and will culminate in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October. Key fixtures include Wakefield Trinity versus Leigh Leopards (Friday, 18 September, 8 pm), Warrington Wolves versus Hull KR (Saturday, 19 September, 5:30 pm), and the semi‑finals featuring Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors on 25 and 26 September respectively.
The Rhinos, buoyed by a record number of Dream Team selections, will look to convert their regular‑season brilliance into championship glory.