Warrington Wolves 6 Leeds Rhinos 34: Super League leaders make their statement by staying true to Brad Arthur's vision

The Leeds Rhinos boss was far more interested in what the game revealed about his own side than what it told the rest of Super League.

By the end of a commanding evening at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Leeds had delivered both the performance Arthur craved and the statement others were seeking.

In ending Warrington's perfect home record and moving clear at the top of the table, the Rhinos provided the clearest indication yet that Arthur's vision is becoming reality.

The Australian has repeatedly called for Leeds to become a reliable team, one that does not fluctuate depending on the opponent or occasion.

The manner of the victory – their ninth in 10 games – was every bit as significant as the result itself.

The Rhinos had too often left their Headingley form behind when they hit the road but this was a night when it all came together. Winning at Warrington is one thing; dismantling a side that had not lost at home all season is quite another.

Maika Sivo maintained his remarkable tryscoring record with a fifth hat-trick of the year to take his haul to 27, while Brodie Croft added one more to his tally against his next club.

There were also tries for Harry Newman and Chris Hankinson but it was Lachie Miller who stole the show on his return from suspension.

Fresh from three weeks off, the Australian full-back underlined his value to the Rhinos in a match that pitted the best defence against the best attack. That contest was settled long before the final hooter.

Leeds had set their stall out even before Ewan Irwin kicked Warrington into an early lead from a penalty.

Their ball movement did not reap immediate rewards but once they found a breakthrough, the points came in a flurry.

Sivo had already been crowded out in the corner when he scored the first try of the match.

Miller's kick in behind dribbled away from Ash Handley but he managed to knock the ball backwards and the prolific Sivo was on hand to finish.

If there was a hint of fortune about the Rhinos' opener, their second was a try of the highest quality.

Handley broke clear from inside his own half after a slick move to the left and Croft raced through in support to give his future employers a taste of what they can expect from next season.

Leeds had to dig deep when it was their time to defend but they always carried a threat and had a third try to celebrate by the half-hour mark.

Jake Connor sent a towering kick into the night sky and Newman came from nowhere to pick Josh Thewlis' pocket and score under the posts.

The Rhinos, guilty of switching off just before the break on numerous occasions this season, had a mental hurdle to clear in the closing stages of the half but answered Arthur's call for focused minds to survive late pressure.

As they showed in the Las Vegas drubbing of Hull KR, and several times since, shutting up shop is not in Leeds' DNA.

A series of offloads set the tone for another half characterised by adventure and ruthless execution – an uncharacteristic slip by Sivo aside.

Once they entered Wire territory for the first time, Hankinson romped over untouched from Miller's cut-out pass.

Warrington may have breathed a sigh of relief when Connor took the two on offer after Miller was taken out by former Leeds forward James Bentley but the punishment quickly resumed.

Sivo powered his way over in the corner from Connor's sublime long ball before taking Miller's pass to complete his treble.

Only a last-ditch tackle by Albert Hopoate prevented the Fijian from adding a fourth.

Matty Ashton had the last word when he jinked his way over but it was a sobering evening for Warrington.

Warrington Wolves: Thewlis, Ashton, Lindop, Smith, Hopoate, Hayes, Irwin, Thomas, Walker, Byrne, Harrison, Bentley, Currie. Substitutes: Powell, Sipley, Crowther, Tanginoa.

Tries: Ashton (73).

Goals: Irwin 1/2.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller, Hall, Newman, Handley, Sivo, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, Levi, Palasia, Hankinson, McDonnell, Watkins. Substitutes: Jenkins, O'Connor, Smith, Cassell.

Tries: Sivo (19, 54, 58), Croft (22), Newman (30), Hankinson (44).

Goals: Connor 5/7.

Referee: Liam Moore.