Leeds Rhinos produced a commanding 34-8 win over Hull KR in their annual motor neurone disease (MND) awareness fixture at Headingley, delivering a performance that honored club legend Rob Burrow and underlined their title credentials.
Burrow's children—Macy, Jackson, and Maya—brought out the match ball to a standing ovation and guard of honour, setting the tone for an emotional evening. The match drew Leeds's highest crowd since 2020, who witnessed not only a fitting tribute but a resounding statement from Brad Arthur's side.
Dominant display against defending champions
Leeds, who last won the Super League title in 2017—Burrow's final match as a professional—have endured lean years since, but this performance put the rest of the competition on notice. Victory at Warrington the previous week had been eye-catching, but this ruthless dismantling of the defending champions for the second time this season was a clear reminder of their title ambitions.
Leeds now sit two points clear at the summit and six ahead of Hull KR after this one-sided victory. "We pushed it really heavy this week about being brave for Rob, and being brave for his family," Arthur said. "We were exactly that. We withstood some early pressure and pushed through it but I think we've got plenty left in us to improve too. We were brave for Rob."
Jake Connor shines as Leeds take control
Leeds were flawless for large patches, with Jake Connor delivering another standout performance that makes an England spot in the World Cup feel increasingly inevitable. The match was tight for the opening half-hour, with only three penalty goals scored—two by Connor making it 4-2—before Leeds surged to a 16-point lead by halftime.
Fittingly, it was Leeds's No. 7, the number Burrow wore for so many years, who dominated. Connor's assists for Chris Hankinson and Maika Sivo's tries swung the game firmly Leeds's way as half-time approached. After the restart, he took centre stage again to emphatically put the game beyond Hull KR.
Rhyse Martin sin-bin and Sivo's try spree
Rhyse Martin's sin-binning for Hull KR at the end of the first half opened the door further for Leeds, and Connor capitalized with a clever kick that led to Sivo scoring his 27th Super League try of the season. The Fijian winger surpassed Lewis Martin's tally of 25 for Hull FC last year that topped the charts, with Denny Solomona's all-time record of 40 in a season now coming into view.
That made it 24-2, and the Robins were already well beaten with half an hour remaining. Hull KR, who won the treble last year, rarely suffer such overwhelming defeats. "Last week we were similar, but we got away with it," their coach, Willie Peters, said. "We need to find out why it's happening but I think it's an individual thing. There was some fight and physicality about us, but we're playing against a very good team."
Late tries and Burrow's legacy
Hull KR at least crossed for a try their effort merited through Noah Booth, but two minutes later Connor—who else?—capitalized on an error to score before Leeds captain Ash Handley completed the victory by finishing off another wonderful team try. There is a long way to go, but on this form, Leeds may take some stopping.
Burrow's courage as his MND progressed reminded us all that some things are more important than a game of rugby league. But how delighted he would have been to witness this display.
