Here's 5 Leeds Rhinos players with a point to prove in 2026 including Man of Steel Jake Connor

Rhinos still have work to do to catch the three teams ahead of them in Betfred Super League last year. They will also be under pressure from the sides who finished below them, many of which have strengthened and will be pressing for a top-four spot.

Individually, while most of Rhinos’ senior players will feel they are in good shape, they can’t afford to rest on their laurels. Here’s five players with a point to prove in 2026.

Jake Connor. The scrum-half had an outstanding debut season with Leeds when he was named their player of the year, selected in the Super League Dream Team and won the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade, Man of Steel. Having signed a new loing-term contract, he’ll want to show that wasn’t a one-off and he can continue to dominate the competition in 2026.

In addition, there’s a World Cup on the horizon. Leaving Connor out of England’s Ashes squad was clearly an error by coach Shaun Wane and he has an opportunity this year to ensure that doesn’t happen again.

Maika Sivo. Having scored 104 tries in 115 NRL games for Parramatta Eels, big things were expected of the Fijian winger when he signed for Rhinos ahead of last season. Unfortunately, an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in January ruled him out of the entire campaign. Sivo is expected to be available for round one, next month and will want to prove he has lost none of his formidable try scoring prowess, which could make him one of the most strike players in the competition.

Cameron Smith. The 2025 season was one to forget for Smith, who suffered two long-term injuries and played only 12 games, eight of those as a substitute. The loose-forward has lost his coveted number 13 jersey to Keenan Palasia and is entering the final year of his current contract so it’s a big season for him.

It is also his testimonial campaign and the 27-year-old will be looking to regain the form he showed in 2023 when he was Rhinos’ player of the year.

Jarrod O’Connor. The number nine is another one whose present deal expires in the autumn of 2026. Now established as first-choice hooker, he has already seen off the likes of Kruise Leeming and Andy Ackers, but faces competition for his spot from new signing Danny Levi.

Having moved into Rhinos’ top-13 for the first time, O’Connor - who was Super League’s top tackler in 2025 - has an opportunity to take the next step and show England’s management he deserves a place in their squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Ethan O’Neill. The Australian second-row impressed for Leigh Leopards in 2025, which was his first season at the top level. However, he picked up an injury late in the campaign and didn’t regain his place for the all-important play-offs.

He will be keen to prove that was a mistake. Rhinos have signed him on a long-term deal and, though he will wear number 16 during his debut year at the club, the 26-year-old has the chance to establish himself as a key member of Leeds’ pack - which wouldn’t go unnoticed by NRL scouts.