When the 2026 Super League Dream Team was announced, one crest appeared again and again: the blue and amber of Leeds Rhinos. Six of the thirteen players picked by journalists, fans, and former players came from Leeds — the most of any club — a fitting reward for a season in which they finished second and scored more than 900 points.
The honours began at the back, where full-back Lachie Miller showed what an electric playmaker he is. He created 18 tries, racked up a competition-best 166 tackle busts, and covered a remarkable 3,781 metres with ball in hand. His half-back partners were just as feared. Scrum-half Jake Connor, the reigning Man of Steel, had 43 try assists to his name, while stand-off Brodie Croft scored 28 tries in all competitions and added 12 more assists.
Out wide, winger Maika Sivo was on course to smash records, storming to 31 tries in just 20 games before a broken arm halted his charge. A good chunk of his scores came courtesy of centre Ash Handley, who finished with 14 assists and 10 tries of his own. In the second row, James McDonnell's relentless industry helped swing the selectors' minds — he made 651 tackles, took 222 carries, and chipped in 12 tries.
The recognition stretched well beyond Leeds. Wigan's Brad O'Neill and Zach Eckersley were rewarded for a title-chasing season, with Eckersley offering dazzling versatility across the backline, scoring 36 tries in 31 games and racking up 30 clean breaks. Leigh's Umyla Hanley and prop Joe Ofahengaue earned their places, as did Wakefield's powerful front-rower Caleb Hamlin-Uele — who lives and breathes Auckland but qualifies for England through his grandparents. Warrington's Ben Currie was named loose forward, and Toulouse earned their first ever Dream Team pick in second-rower Mathieu Jussaume, scorer of 16 tries.
For England head coach Brian McDermott, the list brings real hope with the World Cup just over a month away. The vast majority of the side is England-qualified, and most were already in his 40-strong pool of talent named earlier this year. Connor, Hanley, and McDonnell all kept their places from last season's selection, and the in-form English contingent gives the national side genuine firepower.
There were, inevitably, hard-luck stories too — Wigan's electric spine of Jai Field, Bevan French, and Harry Smith, quick-scoring Josh Charnley, who now tops the all-time Super League tries list, and Wakefield hooker Tyson Smoothy, brilliant in his single season before heading back to Australia. But for Leeds, and for English rugby league, this Dream Team tells a hopeful story: six Rhinos, and a generation of talent ready for the world stage.