Ahead of Rugby League’s 2026 trip to Las Vegas, Sky Sports’ Megan Wellens brings you some of the key stories between Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos.
When there is a highlight in sports, more attention is usually drawn.
Wigan showed Warrington why they could be top of the table in Las Vegas in 2025. Now the Rhinos and Robins will clash to become the second Super League team to win at Allegiant Stadium, live on Sky Sports from Saturday 28 February to Sunday 1 March.
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South Yorkshire band Levelnd and the Makers welcome Hull KR and Brisbane Broncos to World Club Challenge
Neither team needs extra motivation. They’re playing in Las Vegas. But every contest has an underlying story that threatens to surface on the big day.
So let’s take a look at what’s at stake for Hull KR and Leeds Rhinos…
Battle of the Halfbacks: Conner vs. Lewis
They are two of Super League’s star men, Jake Conner and Mikey Lewis, who will face off once again at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
There’s nothing better than watching two playmakers do battle. There’s no doubt these two will spend 80 minutes trying to get the other’s number.
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Jake Connor speaks after helping Leeds Rhinos to their first top-four finish since 2017, finishing the season as third-highest scorer with 181 points and winning Super League’s prestigious Man of Steel award.
Lewis was selected to start the second Test when England faced Australia in the Ashes at the end of 2025, while Connor controversially was not selected.
But with the World Cup just around the corner this year, both players will want to spend the rest of the year showing they deserve to get on the plane and that there are better ways to start than with a big win in Las Vegas.
We don’t yet know who England’s new head coach will be, but we do know who will be in the spotlight and if Conor and Lewis can show they can do it on the big stage again, it will only help their cause.
In fact, we might see them pairing up as England’s No.6 and No.7 in Australia.
To the NRL: A chance to impress
Two players looking to make their mark in Las Vegas are Leeds Rhinos’ Harry Newman and James McDonnell.
At the end of the 2026 season, both players will head to the Underground to try themselves in the NRL.
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Brisbane Broncos’ Deane Marriner and Patrick Carrigan score back-to-back goals to close the gap on Hull KR
Newman has signed a two-year contract with new franchise Perth Bears, which will take effect when his contract with the Rhinos ends in the autumn.
McDonnell played every game for Leeds in 2025, earning him a place in the Super League Dream Team. Newman will sign with Perth Bears at the end of 2026.
Four NRL clubs – North Queensland Cowboys, Newcastle Knights, Canterbury Bulldogs and St George Illawarra Dragons – are also taking part in the Las Vegas spectacle, so they know their future competitors will be watching and will be keen to show that Perth have landed two Super League stars.
Does Leeds have a KR number?
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Betfred Super League highlights of Hull KR vs Leeds Rhinos
You may have heard a lot about Hull KR and their incredible 2025, having completed an historic treble and becoming only the fifth team in the competition’s history to be crowned champions.
However, throughout the year they faced Leeds Rhinos three times. In the first game, they defeated the Rhinos 20-14 in a close match. However, Leeds won the next two games 14-8 and 28-6.
Some would say that Brad Arthur’s Rhinos would have a Hal KR number, play a style that troubles them, and then confidently head to the big dance in Sin City.
Robbins knows that and will want to fix it soon.
I’m sure it’s delicious!
Knocking Hull KR off the top of the world
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Hull KR beat Brisbane Broncos to win World Club Challenge
Hull KR will head to Las Vegas as world champion. They will take to the NRL turf as the team fresh off a dramatic 30-24 victory over champions Brisbane Broncos.
They come to say they are the best of the best.
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Emotional Mikey Lewis looks to rebuild trust with Hull KR after being found guilty in defeat to York Knights
For Leeds Rhinos, it will only serve as motivation against so many teams these days.
They will want to show they can overcome the team that beat the best team in the NRL.
But Hull KR can only hope to continue this impressive start and create more history for the club. There are four trophies in the cabinet and a win in Las Vegas would make it even more impressive.
2026 Super League – Important dates and highlights
Rugby League in Las Vegas: Saturday 28th February: Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos, 11pm (Sky Sports) Super League 30th Birthday: Thursday 26th March: Castleford Tigers v Bradford Bulls, 8pm (Sky Sports) Rivals Round: 3rd April to 5th April Super League in Paris: Saturday 6th June: Catalan Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris); 6:30 UK (Sky Sports) Magic Weekend: 4th July – 5th July Rivals Round Overturn: 23rd July – 26th July Elimination Playoffs: 19th September – 20th September Playoff Semi-Finals: 26th September – 27th September Grand Final: 3rd October, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season. Exclusively live, including two matches from each round, the remaining five matches will be shown weekly on Sky Sports+.
