Leeds Rhinos fans impressed with newcomer, make star man contract plea following win v Warrington Wolves

Leeds, who had lost their previous two games, trailed 12-0 midway through the first half, in tough conditions, but battled back well, Maika Sivo leading the way with a hat-trick of tries and Jack Bird and Brodie Croft also touching down. Here’s what the YEP’s fans jury made of it and their thoughts on the Good Friday derby at Bradford Bulls.

KATIE MARCZYNSKI

Despite a below-par first half, we managed to weather the storm - quite literally - and improve as time went on to move to third in the table. The win was always there against Warrington, we just needed to believe in ourselves and focus, which is exactly what we did in the second half.

Jake Connor and Brodie Croft looked to be having an off night, which never bodes well, but they turned it around in the second 40 and our recent poor form was hopefully just a blip. Stand outs for me were Ash Handley - he rarely has a bad game - and Jack Bird who, despite some errors, read the game very well, tackled hard and deserved his try. Brad Arthur has a difficult decision to make this week, but I’m unsure Harry Newman regains his place based on Sunday’s performances.

We travel to Bradford on Good Friday for rivals round. Bulls will be relishing the chance to do a number on us and Odsal is a difficult place to go, but there’s no reason we shouldn’t win. We need to ensure we remain focused and treat our opponents with the respect they deserve. We’re doing okay, but we’ve not won anything yet.

BECKY OXLEY

Reflecting on 30 years of the Super League, it all began in 1996 against Warrington. I was just 13 years old and, in many ways, it feels like it was just yesterday. Where have all the years gone? It’s astonishing.

My mind drifts to the numerous highs and lows we’ve experienced over the past three decades and how much has transformed, yet in many respects, some things have remained constant.

I was really hoping we wouldn’t end up losing three consecutive games - I can’t imagine anyone wanting to be in a room with Brad Arthur if that were to happen. The match was tightly contested for both teams and, once again, Maika Sivo showcased his talent with a hat-trick of tries, displaying impressive footwork along the wing.

We were a bit disorganized at times, but the weather certainly didn’t help. The gusty winds made kicking difficult and the rain rendered the ball slippery.

Now, I find myself contemplating what the next 30 years will hold. It’s undoubtedly thrilling, and while one should never rush through life, it’s clear that time will fly by. Ask me for my thoughts when I’m 73, and I’ll provide you with an honest response.

IAIN SHARP

It was Super League’s 30th birthday weekend and Leeds celebrated it a little too literally by starting the game against Warrington in a similar style to the 1996 team and not being very good, for the first 25 minutes anyway. I don’t want to seem cliched and rave about his performance yet again, but Maika Sivo, Leeds’ deeply religious winger, must think he has arrived in the Promised Land after bagging another hat-trick.

Hull FC have been the only team to stop him so far, but decent wing play is only part of the job and he needs to be put into space by his centre, which Ash Handley did on Sunday, in order for him to bulldoze over. Brodie Croft also had his own interpretation of the Bible’s Book of Exodus, by parting the Warrington defence like the Red Sea and strolling in for the critical score.

All this took place against the backdrop of real summer conditions: freezing cold, a swirling wind and a mix of rain and hail, including a half-time squall of biblical proportions. Suffer the little children being made to play in that lot.

All being well, next week sees a manned mission to orbit the moon for the first time in over 50 years. The Rugby Football League are getting in on the occasion by sending Leeds to play in the magnificent desolation of a huge crater with no atmosphere, better known as Odsal.

TOM GOLDSWORTHY

While there is still work to be done, Leeds produced an impressive, battling performance to come from behind and beat Warrington who were undefeated before Sunday’s encounter. Following a demoralising few results, it could have been easy for heads to drop after Wire found themselves 12-0 up in the first half, but there was a real desire from the team to get back into the contest and get the win, even when we weren't at our best. We need to tighten up on our discipline and defence as we gave away some very avoidable penalties and soft tries throughout the game, but it was obvious progress had been made and feels like we are back on the right track.

I still feel there is more to come from our attack. There was some improvement from last week’s game, but our last-tackle plays were shocking at times. We all know how good Brodie Croft and Jake Connor can be; we need to start seeing it in 2026 on a consistent basis. What we saw which was missing in Hull was giving Maika Sivo the ball and letting him attack the line. It is like having a cheat code with him on the wing as he scored another hat-trick in Leeds colours. I just hope we do not become over-reliant on his tries.

Looking ahead to Bradford, it is vital we keep the momentum up from this win. With it being the return of this derby for the first time in Super League since 2014, both sides will no doubt be up for the occasion. We need to make sure we manage the game better and show how good we can be. There is no doubt we are the better side; we cannot be dragged down to their level and let them disrupt our rhythm.

ALEX SHARP

A running theme with Warrington this year is they start very fast and slow down as the game goes on. York Knights scored 30 points against them and Wakefield Trinity went at them hard in the second half and Sunday was no different.

Warrington started very fast, but I always thought - after we went 12-0 behind - if we got a try we would be in with a shout, given how bad the wind and rain was at times. Up stepped Maika Sivo with not just one, but two tries from excellent hands by Ash Handley to make it 12-8 at the half-time hooter.

I was confident going into the second half and my arrogance was justified as Sivo, Jack Bird and Brodie Croft all went over. Credit to Warrington for making it a really good game to watch and an excellent advert for rugby league with all eyes on the game on the competition’s 30th birthday.

Everyone is talking about Sivo and his 12 tries in five Super League games and 14 in six in all competitions, but Brodie Croft has crossed the whitewash in every Super League game he has played this year. Please, Ian Blease, get the contract and pen out and have our spine tied down for a few more years. I am very happy we are back on the horse and can’t wait for Friday’s trip to Bradford.