Hull KR 6 Leeds Rhinos 58: Maika Sivo steals show as Brad Arthur's side dominate Las Vegas stage
A week is a long time in rugby league.
On top of the world after downing NRL champions Brisbane Broncos, Hull KR were handed a sobering reality check by Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos on the big stage in Las Vegas.
The Rhinos did to Rovers what Willie Peters' side had done to the Broncos nine days earlier, producing an inspired performance to win the game by half-time.
Leeds finished with 10 tries in a remarkably one-sided encounter, extending KR's wait for a win in Super League.
In a city famed for its razzmatazz, it was the quiet, unassuming Maika Sivo who stole the show.
The powerhouse winger scored four tries and produced an early contender for play of the season in the build-up to Ryan Hall's thrilling effort.
After missing the entire 2025 campaign with a serious knee injury, Sivo has quickly set about making up for lost time with six tries in his first two appearances for Leeds.
The swagger came from half-back pairing Jake Connor and Brodie Croft, two players who looked right at home under the bright lights of Sin City.
This was the Rhinos at their very best – and they are fast becoming a problem for Rovers.
Leeds won two of the three meetings last year and were good value for the points in the other.
In the first Yorkshire derby played in America, Brad Arthur's side delivered the ultimate statement to put the champions on notice.
The Rhinos raced into a 28-0 lead before half-time to leave the Rovers fans – who dominated the Vegas Strip in the build-up – shellshocked.
It took Sivo just nine minutes to make his mark with a powerful finish from Connor's looping pass.
When Sivo swatted Tom Davies aside for a second time soon after, the KR winger's head must have been spinning.
Connor was the architect once again – with the help of the returning Ash Handley – before kicking a sensational 40/20 to give Leeds the field position to strike another blow through Croft, the Australian brushing aside Jai Whitbread to score under the posts.
The Rovers forward compounded his defensive error with two knock-ons, the second of which giving Keenan Palasia the opportunity to flatten Jack Broadbent with a powerful carry and touch the ball down with authority.
Then came the moment of the match when Sivo claimed a short drop-out and raced into open field. He was eventually hauled down but Leeds quickly shifted the ball out to the right where Hall finished.
Rovers couldn't even use the excuse of wilting in the Nevada heat, protected from the searing temperatures by a roof and air conditioning.
The Robins threatened before the interval – Jez Litten seeing a try ruled out for obstruction – but they were soon back in damage limitation mode after the restart.
Danny Levi accelerated out of dummy-half to put Croft over for his second try before Sivo stepped back inside to complete his treble following good work by Lachie Miller.
As if what they were seeing on the field wasn't bad enough, the KR fans were treated to a rendition of 'Little Respect' from their Leeds counterparts.
Joe Burgess gave the Rovers faithful a reason to cheer when he went over from Oliver Gildart's pass but the winger then coughed up the ball to allow Sivo to steam over for his fourth.
On a day when virtually everything went wrong, Rovers had to watch Rhinos prop Cooper Jenkins score a late double.
This was a day when Leeds dominated the Vegas stage and planted their flag on American soil.
Hull KR: Broadbent, Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess, Lewis, May, Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella. Substitutes: Luckley, Whitbread, Martin, Lawton.
Tries: Burgess (65).
Goals: Martin 1/1.
Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Sivo, Newman, Handley, Hall, Croft, Connor, Jenkins, Levi, Palasia, Watkins, McDonnell, Smith. Substitutes: O'Connor, Holroyd, Hankinson, Littlewood.
Tries: Sivo (9, 15, 55, 68), Croft (22, 51), Palasia (29), Hall (34), Jenkins (77, 79).
Goals: Connor 6/7, Hankinson 3/3.
Referee: Jack Smith.