Leeds Rhinos delivered a resounding statement over their Super League title credentials with a scintillating victory against Warrington to move two points clear of the Wolves at the top.

This was a meeting of Super League’s best defence versus its best attack, with the winners knowing they would go clear of the opposition after both started Thursday evening joint-top. However, it proved to be a complete mismatch as Leeds dismantled Sam Burgess’s side to inflict a first home defeat on Warrington in devastating fashion.

In the week he was recalled to the England squad, Jake Connor underlined why he is the national team’s best option at scrum-half with another masterful display in a big game. The reigning Man of Steel was at his brilliant best as Brad Arthur’s side emphasised how a first league title since 2017 now feels closer than it has for quite some time.

One defeat does not define a season but this was seen as a night for Warrington to show they were bona fide contenders. Instead, they fell brutally short and were picked apart by Connor and Lachie Miller.

Warrington’s young spine settled the quicker of the two creative units, with Ewan Irwin kicking the Wolves into an early lead from the tee courtesy of a penalty. They did edge the opening quarter, a 20 minutes that was full of intensity and energy throughout. But as the midway point in the half approached, Leeds began to settle.

Maika Sivo was narrowly denied a 23rd try of the season courtesy of a brilliant tackle from James Bentley, but three minutes later Sivo could not be stopped. Miller’s pinpoint kick found Ash Handley, with the Leeds captain tapping the ball back for Sivo to extend his brilliant try-scoring start to 2026.

That try sprung the Rhinos into life. On the following set, Handley broke from deep and he timed his pass for Brodie Croft to perfection with the Australian – who will play for Warrington next season – doing just about enough to ground the ball under pressure and open up a two‑score lead for the visitors.

It would then get even better too. After Leeds held off a brief spell of Warrington pressure, Connor’s towering kick was superbly claimed by Harry Newman, who outjumped Josh Thewlis to ground under the posts and give Connor a simple conversion to make it 16-2. Suddenly the Super League’s best defence had been brutally carved apart by the best attack.

You felt as though Warrington had to score next. Instead, it took Leeds just three minutes to pick up where they left off at half-time and move further ahead. Miller was again the architect, with a stunning cut-out pass that left the Wire defence flat-footed, and giving Chris Hankinson a free run to the line.

Connor converted from the touchline with ease despite some taunting from the home supporters, before he coolly added a penalty to extend the lead further.

But in what represented a serious show of Leeds’ credentials they did not ease up: they went for the proverbial jugular and dismantled the Wolves.

It was Connor, who is arguably Miller’s closest contender for the Man of Steel award as we reach halfway in 2026, who was at his devastating best with two more outrageous assists for Sivo to complete his hat‑trick and move to 25 tries already. Denny Solomona’s all-time record of 40 set in 2017 is now well within realistic reach.

Warrington at least avoided the ignominy of failing to score a try at home when Matty Ashton crossed in the final minutes but by then, the contest had long been decided and Leeds’ statement had long since been sent.