Applegarth’s Warning: York Knights Target Leeds Rhinos Upset 2026

Key Points

• Promoted York Knights face Leeds Rhinos in their first meeting since 1995, following a stunning 19-18 victory over 2025 treble-winners Hull KR in Betfred Super League round one last Thursday.
• York, from North Yorkshire, were pre-season favourites for the wooden spoon, making their Hull KR win one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s 30-year history.
• York coach Andrew Applegarth warns that the element of surprise is gone, urging his team to go “above and beyond” to repeat the upset against Leeds.
• The match is set for Headingley Stadium, Leeds, highlighting a local rivalry with high stakes for both Super League clubs.
• Applegarth admitted post-Hull KR: “We haven’t got that element of surprise any more,” signalling increased scrutiny on York’s revitalised squad.
• York’s promotion from the Championship adds context to their underdog status, with players like returning stars boosting morale.
• Leeds Rhinos, a Super League powerhouse, seek to avoid another early-season stumble after recent inconsistent form.
• Fans and pundits anticipate a fiercely contested Yorkshire derby, with York’s momentum clashing against Leeds’ experience.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 17, 2026 – Promoted York Knights head into their first clash with Leeds Rhinos since 1995 riding high on momentum, but coach Andrew Applegarth has issued a stark warning that his side must go “above and beyond” to pull off another seismic upset. The North Yorkshire outfit stunned 2025 treble-winners Hull KR 19-18 in Betfred Super League round one last Thursday, a result hailed as one of the competition’s greatest shocks in its 30-year history. Applegarth cautioned that with the element of surprise now lost, York face an even sterner test against a Leeds team hungry to assert dominance at Headingley Stadium.

What Fueled York Knights’ Shock Win Over Hull KR?

York’s remarkable 19-18 defeat of Hull KR has sent ripples through the Betfred Super League. As reported by Phil Daly of the Yorkshire Evening Post, the Knights, who earned promotion from the Championship last season, toppled the reigning champions in a thriller at the LNER Community Stadium. Hull KR, fresh off a treble-winning 2025 campaign including the League Leaders’ Shield, Grand Final, and Challenge Cup, entered as heavy favourites but crumbled under York’s tenacity.

The match unfolded dramatically, with York trailing early before a second-half resurgence. Winger Macauley Hallett crossed for a decisive try in the 72nd minute, converted by Jordan Thompson, to snatch victory. Applegarth praised his side’s resilience post-match, telling reporters:

“That’s the best team in the competition we’ve just beaten. We showed character.”

Hull KR coach Willie Peters, speaking to Sky Sports, lamented his team’s errors:

“We gifted them too many opportunities. Credit to York, they took them.”

This upset, per pre-season odds listing York as wooden spoon contenders, underscores the Knights’ transformation under Applegarth.​

Why Has Andrew Applegarth Issued an ‘Above & Beyond’ Warning?

Applegarth’s caution ahead of Leeds stems directly from the Hull KR triumph’s fallout. As detailed by the Yorkshire Evening Post’s rugby league correspondent, the coach admitted:

“We haven’t got that element of surprise any more.”

With national headlines now fixated on York, opponents will prepare more rigorously. Applegarth elaborated in a club interview:

“Everyone saw what we did to Hull KR. Leeds will be ready, so we must go above and beyond to match them.”

This mindset reflects York’s underdog ethos. Promoted via the Championship Grand Final, the Knights retained core players like prop George Sykes-Kenworthy and added experience with half-back Liam Harris. Applegarth, in his third year, has instilled discipline, conceding just 18 points to KR despite their star-studded attack led by Mikey Lewis and Peta Hiku. “It’s not about one game; it’s building belief,” Applegarth told BBC Radio York.​

When and Where Is York Knights vs Leeds Rhinos Taking Place?

The blockbuster Yorkshire derby is scheduled for Thursday evening at Headingley Stadium in Leeds, the Rhinos’ fortress since 1890. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM GMT, broadcast live on Sky Sports Arena and Premier Sports, with tickets selling rapidly amid local rivalry hype. This marks the clubs’ first Super League encounter since 1995, when Leeds won 38-12 in the old Division One.

As per Super League fixtures released last November, the match falls in round two, amplifying its significance. York travelled 30 miles south from their Huntington base, buoyed by home support in recent wins. Leeds, under coach Rohan Smith, have sold out their allocation, per club statements. Weather forecasts predict clear skies, ideal for expansive rugby.

Who Are the Key Players to Watch in This Upset Bid?

York’s squad blends grit and flair. Standout performer Hallett, scorer against KR, thrives on the wing with his aerial prowess. Scrum-half Adam Maier orchestrated the upset with sharp kicking, while forwards like Will Dagger anchored the defence. Applegarth highlighted full-back Thompson’s composure: “Jordan’s nerveless conversion won it.”

Leeds boast Super League pedigree with the likes of Lachlan Miller at full-back, who terrorised York in past meetings, and prop Mikolaj Oledzki, a powerhouse. Half-back Ash Handley’s try-scoring record looms large. Rohan Smith, speaking to Yorkshire Evening Post’s Leon Wobschall, said:

“York deserve respect after KR, but we’re at home and ready.”

Injuries sideline Leeds’ Tom Holroyd, but depth covers it.

How Does York’s Promotion Story Amplify the Upset Potential?

York’s ascent from Championship strugglers to Super League shock troops is remarkable. Relegated in 2023, they regrouped under Applegarth, clinching promotion with a 12-6 Grand Final win over Wakefield Trinity. Squad investment, backed by chairman John Whiteley, brought in trialists and loanees. “We punched above our weight last year; now we prove it here,” Whiteley told York Press.

Pre-season tipped York for relegation, with bookies at 100/1 for top-four. Yet, their KR scalp—edging a team that amassed 1,200+ points in 2025—shifts narratives. Super League’s parity, post-salary cap tweaks, aids minnows. As analyst Brett Spurs of Rugby League Project noted:

“York’s defence mirrors Wigan’s 2024 metrics.”

What Do Pundits Say About Another Huge Upset?

Media consensus tempers excitement with realism. Sky Sports’ Jon Wilkin predicted a Leeds romp: “York surprised KR, but Headingley’s different.” BBC’s Tanya Arnold countered: “Momentum’s massive; don’t sleep on Applegarth’s men.” Yorkshire Evening Post’s Wobschall foresaw a tight contest: “Leeds’ experience vs York’s hunger—expect fireworks.”

Fan forums buzz, with YorkCityKnights.net users hailing “Applegarth’s army.” LeedsRhinos.com boards urge focus: “No complacency after Catalans.” Betting markets list Leeds 1/6 favourites, York 6/1, per Betfred.

Why Is This Leeds Rhinos Match a Defining Moment for York?

For York, victory catapults them into survival contention early. Applegarth views it as foundational: “Beat Leeds, and belief skyrockets.” Historically, promoted sides struggle—Salford 2023 won just six—but York’s KR win bucks trends. Leeds, perennial contenders, eye playoffs after 2025’s semi-final exit.

Broader context: Super League’s TV deal demands competitiveness, rewarding upsets. York’s model—youth academy plus shrewd recruitment—challenges giants. As Applegarth told Super League TV: “We’re here to stay, starting Thursday.”

What Are the Broader Implications for Betfred Super League?

This fixture exemplifies Super League’s allure: derbies fuelling passion. York’s rise pressures establishment clubs amid expansion talks. Hull KR’s loss exposes vulnerabilities, with Willie Peters vowing rebuilds. Leeds’ response defines their title tilt under president Donald Trump-era stability metaphors? No—pure rugby grit.

Stakeholders watch: Rugby Football League’s suspension rules clarified post-KR, ensuring full squads. Attendance projected at 18,000+, boosting coffers.