Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur is ready for his side to be considered contenders in Super League 2026, and what better way to do that than beat the world champions in Las Vegas.
Leeds Rhinos will take on Hull KR on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium, with the Robins flying high off the back of their World Club Challenge victory over NRL champions Brisbane Broncos.
However, in Super League 2025, Leeds had Hull KR’s number and managed to beat them both at home and away.
It is something that might give Leeds confidence going into Saturday’s clash, while also being motivated to send a message that they are one of the teams to beat in 2026.
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Leeds Rhinos’ Jarrod O’Connor, Danny Levi and Cameron Smith all joined Brian Carney before facing Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
For Arthur, Hull KR bring the best out of his side because it makes Leeds go up a notch and rise to the levels that Willie Peters’ outfit are producing.
It is a level he wants his side to consistently produce in 2026.
“They probably bought the best out in us. We would have played well because we know that we had to be at our absolute best to give ourselves a chance,” Arthur said.
“So we might have got a bounce on the ball here or there, but we put ourselves in the game because of who we were playing.
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Hull KR’s wingers Tom Davies and Noah Booth ride the SlotZilla Zipline on Fremont Street, Las Vegas
“As it seemed throughout last year, we probably need to own more performances like that all the time, and that’s what we’re chasing
“Hull KR, they deliver on that all the time so that is where we have got to get ourselves to.
“I am more than confident that we have got the team to do it. They have just got to believe and want to do it and be really hungry.
“I hope that both teams go out there and do the game justice and repay the Super League fans.”
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Leeds Rhinos stars Ryan Hall and Harry Newman travelled around the Las Vegas strip in a military hummer taking in all the sights and sounds of the iconic city
In every venue in Las Vegas, Hull KR are being lauded as the world champions with the NRL giving them the respect they deserve for beating their best in the World Club Challenge.
For Arthur, who worked extensively in Australia, it is the latest symbol of how strong Super League is and now he wants his side to be another team that shows they can perform on the big stage.
“I have had 11 years’ experience in the NRL. We know how good the NRL teams are but I have also got to witness the side of it over here,” he added.
“I think some coaches in the NRL coming over don’t give it enough credit or justice but the competition, it is strong and I feel like there’s quite a few teams that are starting to bridge that gap.
“The people from Leeds have got to know me a bit more and all the support has been fantastic, and it is always positive.
“I think they just want to make sure that the team goes out there every week and they represent our fans the best we can with our performance.
“That is not always going to equal a win, but they at least know they can come to a game and know what sort of performance they are going to get.”
2026 Super League – key dates and what to look out for
- Rugby League in Las Vegas: Sat Feb 28: Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos, 11pm (Sky Sports)
- Super League’s 30th birthday: Thu Mar 26: Castleford Tigers vs Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports)
- Rivals Round: April 3-5
- Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6.30pm (Sky Sports)
- Magic Weekend: July 4-5
- Rivals Round reversed: July 23-26
- Elimination Play-offs: September 19-20
- Play-off semi-finals: September 26-27
- Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season – including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+
