Leeds Rhinos thrashed St Helens 34-6 at the Totally Wicked Stadium, scoring six tries to move back to the top of the Super League table and leave the hosts' 60-year record of reaching the playoffs hanging by a thread.
The result was conclusive proof that Super League's two most successful sides are travelling in opposite directions in 2026. Leeds will now almost certainly earn a bye through the opening week of the playoffs by virtue of a top-two finish, and remain favourites to end the regular season on top. St Helens, barring a miraculous run of results involving themselves and the teams around them, will be resting and preparing for 2027 as their 60-year playoff streak comes to a halt.
Leeds dominate from the start
After back-to-back wins in the past fortnight, St Helens had hoped this was the night they could make people sit up and take notice. A win would have dented Leeds' chances of the League Leaders' Shield and put Saints right back in the mix for the top six. Instead, the 80 minutes played out to the form of the 2026 season as a whole: Leeds were impressive, Jake Connor was sensational, and Saints disappointed.
Connor pulled the strings to devastating effect, as he has done all year. His inch-perfect pass for Chris Hankinson broke the deadlock, and while Saints survived a 10-minute period with Daniel Suluka-Fifita in the sin-bin, that period took the wind from their sails. Leeds then took full advantage as the hosts wilted with half-time approaching, scoring twice in six minutes.
Saints' season ebbing away
Cameron Smith produced a sublime solo effort to double Leeds' advantage before Connor again provided the decisive pass, this time for Harry Newman to score. Saints needed to score first after half-time, but their attacking prowess in key moments failed them. Leeds responded through Ryan Hall's try to make it 22-0 and kill the contest.
Jack Welsby at least ensured Saints would not fail to score on home soil when he broke from deep to touch down, but normal service was soon resumed. The hosts knocked on from the following set, and a kick from Connor was grounded by Leeds captain Ash Handley. Connor's boot then caused mayhem in the St Helens defence again to allow his half-back partner, Brodie Croft, to score his 28th try of the season, making it 34-6.
With two rounds to go, Leeds can now look ahead to what is effectively a decider for top spot next Saturday against Wigan. St Helens, in all probability, have to win their last two games and win them well to stand any chance of making the playoffs. By the end, the home support had already begun to filter away. Their season is ebbing away and is almost over, but in truth, Leeds' may just be beginning.
