Leeds Rhinos fans dare to dream after Jake Connor masterclass puts Hull KR's Mikey Lewis in his pocket

Rhinos extended their winning run to five games and are two points clear at the top of Betfred Super League after an impressive performance in their annual motor neurone disease (MND) awareness fixture. Jake Connor stole the show with another outstanding display, playing behind a dominant pack. Here’s what our panel made of it and their thoughts on this Sunday’s Magic Weekend derby against Bradford Bulls at Everton FC’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.

IAIN SHARP

As Dire Straits’ 1979 difficult second album ‘Communique’ demonstrates, it is not so much getting to the top, but staying there that’s the big challenge. That was a hard lesson Hull KR leaned as Leeds dished out another stuffing to a team that was supposed to sweep all before them this season. At least when Leeds were reigning World Champions we were decent value for money.

Rovers could have been boosted by the pre-game appointment of a replacement for coach Willie Peters, clearly seeing the writing on the wall of the massive rebuild required. I’d heard the rumour via a Cayless Whisper earlier in the week.

On field, Leeds were imperious. It reminded me of the sort of games dished up week-in, week-out years ago: hard, with a bit of biff thrown in. If Super League could produce games like this all over the competition on a regular basis, it would be in a far better state.

Off-field, the South Stand were in boisterous, vocal form throughout and rolled back the years to produce the sort of atmosphere that was a weekly occurrence before the seats went in, when it had the reputation of the most feared terrace in rugby league.

I’m now off to go complain at the club shop. My on field authentic blue shorts seem to be missing the pocket big enough to keep BAFTA nominee and part time panto villain Mikey Lewis in.

BECKY OXLEY

What a remarkable performance during MND Awareness week, which is always an emotional occasion. On a night dedicated to honoring Rob Burrow and raising awareness of motor neurone disease, we undoubtedly made him proud and likely raised plenty of funds for those currently living with MND as well as for future diagnoses.

Jake Connor was exceptional throughout the 80 minutes, showcasing his kicking skills and scoring his first try of the season. He has truly developed as a player since joining the Rhinos and has earned the respect of the entire team. His kicks were precise and his attacking kicks translated into points for Leeds.

The entire team was outstanding and we are a completely transformed squad this season. With just over half the season gone and sitting at the top of the table, it feels like we are on the brink of something special this year.

I don’t want to get ahead of myself and jinx anything, but the team’s attitude is remarkable, and we possess a fantastic attacking mindset. The players are collaborating effectively, which is essential for a great team. As Rob Burrow said: “In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.”

Next up is the Magic Weekend game against Bradford. I’m confident Bradford will come ready to compete and on neutral ground, it promises to be an exciting local derby as it always is.

DAVID MUHL

Leeds do nights like last Friday really well. The build up was emotional and wonderful. One thing guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye was Rob Burrow’s kids bringing on the match ball. Rob will never be forgotten at Headingley.

On to the game and the players put in a performance worthy of the night. What I love at the moment is not only are we winning regularly, but also we are playing a very entertaining style of rugby.

Hull KR obviously came with a game plan of putting Jake Connor off his game and winding him up. It’s a testament to how Jake has developed under Brad Arthur; a few years ago he would have reacted badly and ended up in serious trouble.

I’ve run out of superlatives for Jake and this was another top-class performance. He was involved in everything, even keeping the ball in play from a Mikey Lewis penalty.

We controlled the game well after a bit of a battle for the first 20 minutes. Our pack was awesome, making yards at every carry. I don’t know what Tom Holroyd had for lunch, but he drove the ball in like a man possessed and was ably assisted by a rampaging Mik Oledzki.

It was another double for Maika Sivo allowing him to equal Paul Sterling’s consecutive try-scoring record. It was fitting Paul was at the match to witness it.

A player who deserves special mention is Chris Hankinson. I was a little surprised when we signed him, I thought he was just an average player, but he has proved me wrong. He capped a good performance with a superbly-taken try.

It’s Magic next. Our next five matches are against opposition outside the top-six and this should enable us to cement our place at the top of the table.

KATIE MARCZYNSKI

Another convincing display against the reigning champions and we’re still two points clear at the top with 11 games to go. Hull KR were nowhere near the team they can be and, much like in Vegas, we dominated from early on.

Given our unbeaten home record this year, I was expecting us to come away with the two points, but the final score was a pleasant surprise. Jake Connor bagged his first try of the season and surely he has to be on the Man of Steel shortlist when the panel meets again in a couple of weeks’ time?

I've mentioned previously my concerns about recruitment for 2027 and the players leaving at the end of the year, but things are starting to look a bit more positive. Providing he stays fit, the return of Morgan Gannon is a very good signing and I trust the powers that be in their belief George Brown is the right replacement for Brodie Croft.

I'm a big fan of Magic Weekend, and remember seeing that infamous Jordan Tansey try way back in 2007. We might not be in Newcastle this year, but I'm looking forward to a trip across to Liverpool and have no doubt it'll be another Rhinos win.

TOM GOLDSWORTHY

Even the most cautious, realistic Leeds fan must be starting to believe this might be a special season for the club after the Rhinos dismantled the current treble-holders Hull KR for a second time this season to keep our lead at the top of the table. It was an emotional evening at Headingley as we celebrated Rob and Geoff Burrow’s lives and the boys put in a performance that would have made them proud.

It was another ruthless 80-minute performance from the Rhinos with all players involved putting in outstanding performances. It looks like we’ve finally found that consistency I kept grumbling about and we look unstoppable at the moment.

Every time Leeds had the ball we looked dangerous and the score could easily have been higher, especially if some video referee decisions went our way. On top of this, we did well to nullify a dangerous KR side, keeping them to one try and making them look pretty average. If we keep this up, I’m not sure who stops us.

While I can appreciate, on his day, Mikey Lewis is an outstanding player, the difference between him and Jake Connor on Friday was like night and day. We have come to expect constant quality performances from Jake and he delivered again. He could only achieve this by keeping cool when the opposition tried to get under his skin, which is something Lewis failed to do and clearly impacted his performance. This level of maturity to Connor’s game means we finally have the quality player he has always threatened to be and with him in this form, the sky is the limit for Leeds.

Looking ahead to Bradford at Magic Weekend, this fixture is one Super League has definitely missed. While the Bulls have done okay in their return to Super League, I cannot see anything but a Leeds win. The team are full of confidence and it could be a long afternoon for our West Yorkshire neighbours if we turn up like we have the past few weeks.