Croft Hat-Trick Keeps Leeds Rhinos Top Before Castleford Derby Perpignan 2026

Key Points

• Hat-Trick Heroics: Brodie Croft scored three tries and assisted another to secure a dominant 28–6 victory for Leeds Rhinos away at Catalans Dragons.
• Table Pacesetters: The win re-established a four-point lead for Leeds Rhinos at the top of the Betfred Super League table ahead of second-placed Wigan Warriors.
• Hoodoo Broken: The Rhinos registered their first points at the Stade Gilbert Brutus in four visits, having failed to score a single point in their previous three trips to Perpignan.
• Warrington Bound: Leeds fans expressed mixed emotions, highly praising Croft’s masterclass while lamenting his upcoming departure to Warrington Wolves next season.
• Injury Concerns: The victory was marred by first-half injuries to prop Cooper Jenkins (blurred vision) and Mikolaj Oledzki (shoulder stinger).
• Derby On The Horizon: The league leaders extend their winning run to seven matches as they prepare for Sunday’s all-West Yorkshire derby against Castleford Tigers.

Leeds Rhinos (The Leeds Times) July 13, 2026 —An inspired hat-trick from star half-back Brodie Croft guided league-leaders Leeds Rhinos to a comprehensive 28–6 victory over Catalans Dragons at the Stade Gilbert Brutus on Saturday, solidifying their position at the summit of the Betfred Super League. In front of an attendance of 7,867 fans, Croft scored three tries, set up another, and successfully broke a three-year scoring drought for the West Yorkshire club in Perpignan.

The victory marks Leeds’ twelfth win in their last thirteen matches, extending their current winning streak to seven games and keeping them four points clear of second-placed Wigan Warriors with nine rounds of the regular season remaining.

As reported by Ricky Wilby of Total Rugby League, the clash was played under grueling conditions, with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Celsius at kick-off accompanied by 75 percent humidity. Despite the harsh climate and a highly physical second half that saw referee Liam Moore issue final warnings to both captains, Leeds controlled the tempo from the opening whistle.

The only statistical disappointment for the visitors was winger Maika Sivo drawing a blank, leaving Richard Horne’s long-standing Super League record of scoring in eleven consecutive matches intact.

What Happened In The Match Between Catalans Dragons And Leeds Rhinos?

The match began with early territorial pressure from the visitors. According to match data published by League Express, Leeds opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Following a close attempt by hooker Danny Levi, playmaker Jake Connor executed a precise grubber kick into the in-goal area.

A miscalculation by the Catalans cover defence allowed the ball to bounce kindly into the grasp of center Harry Newman, who touched down. Connor, marking his 300th career appearance, added the conversion to make it 6–0.

The hosts attempted to hit back, but critical errors proved costly. As detailed by BBC Sport, Catalans half-back Toby Sexton failed to complete an offload to Leo Darrelatour just a meter away from the try line. Leeds capitalized immediately on the loose ball. Driven by defensive pressure from James McDonnell, Catalans’ Lewis Dodd committed a handling error, allowing Croft to gather the ball and race 70 meters down the left flank to score in the 19th minute. Although Connor missed the difficult touchline conversion, Leeds held a 10–0 advantage.

Just before the interval, Leeds struck a definitive blow. Croft turned provider, unlocking the Dragons’ defensive line with a sharp inside pass to hooker Jarrod O’Connor.

O’Connor drew the full-back before offloading to supporting full-back Lachlan Miller, who raced under the posts. Connor converted to give the Rhinos a commanding 16–0 lead at half-time.

The second half began with heightened tension, with multiple scuffles flaring up as the Dragons tried to unnerve the league leaders.

However, Croft put the game beyond doubt with two additional tries within an 11-minute window. Fifteen minutes into the second half, Miller delivered a flat pass to a hard-charging Croft, who dummied past Charlie Staines to score under the crossbar.

Croft sealed his hat-trick in the 67th minute, capitalizing on quick footwork to weave through a tiring French defensive line, bringing his individual try tally for the 2026 season to 20.

Catalans avoided a complete shutout on the final whistle. As the hooter sounded, Ugo Tison displayed immense determination to carry three Leeds defenders over the line to score in the left corner. Sexton added the conversion, capping the final scoreline at 28–6.

How Did Coaches Brad Arthur and John Cartwright React To The Result?

Following the conclusion of the match, both head coaches offered contrasting perspectives on the physical encounter and what it means for their respective campaigns.

As reported by Josh McAllister of All Out Rugby League, Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur praised the mental resilience of his squad, particularly their ability to handle the intimidation tactics employed by the hosts in the second half. Speaking to Sky Sports, Brad Arthur stated:

“We were pretty professional and thought we were quite tough as well. We wanted to dominate possession, and I thought we did that really well. Obviously there were some tactics after they came out after half-time, trying to rattle us, and we go back to round five and it worked for them. It was good that we learned our lesson. There are a couple of things we got wrong, but we were able to compose ourselves and just get back to our job.”

Arthur also addressed the immediate health status of his squad after losing two key forwards during the match. Prop Cooper Jenkins was forced off after just 15 minutes due to blurred vision, while international prop Mikolaj Oledzki suffered a severe shoulder stinger and did not return for the second half.

Arthur confirmed that Oledzki could have returned if absolutely necessary, but the coaching staff opted for caution given the comfortable scoreline.

The match was also a milestone fixture for several senior Leeds players. Veteran back-rower Kallum Watkins made his 300th appearance for the club, while Danny Levi reached 200 career games and Tom Holroyd celebrated his 100th career appearance.

Conversely, Catalans Dragons head coach John Cartwright chose to focus on the improved physical intent of his players despite suffering a third consecutive defeat, which leaves the French club languishing in eighth place—six points adrift of the playoff spots. Speaking to Sky Sports, John Cartwright stated:

“Intent-wise and physicality, it was a massive improvement on last week. To compete with them, we had to do that. Up until 16-0 down we were still in the game. We were unlucky because we should have scored a try and had to take our chances against a side like that, and we didn’t. There were a lot of things we had to get right to be in the game against them, and we didn’t quite do it. But physically, I just loved the way they had each other’s back in that second half.”

What Are Leeds Rhinos Fans Saying Ahead Of The Castleford Tigers Derby?

The performance has generated significant debate among the Leeds Rhinos fan base, with supporters assessing the tactical display while looking toward the upcoming derby against Castleford Tigers at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.

Writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post fans’ jury, supporter David Muhl highlighted the significance of winning at a ground that had previously caused the club immense psychological distress. David Muhl stated:

“A trip to Catalans is never easy, as the last three years showed when we didn’t cross their try line once, but that was put to bed on Saturday with Leeds putting together a very professional performance to defeat them and almost keep them to nil. It shows how high our standards have been that some supporters were slightly disappointed with our performance, but I think, in unbelievable heat and humidity, Leeds played some excellent rugby.”

While the mood remains overwhelmingly positive, a common talking point among the Headingley faithful centers on the impending departure of Brodie Croft, who is scheduled to join rivals Warrington Wolves ahead of the 2027 season.

With Leeds currently sitting four points clear of Wigan Warriors, fans are actively discussing the possibility of a historic domestic double, targeting both the League Leaders’ Shield and a Grand Final appearance at Old Trafford in three months’ time.

Background of the Leeds Rhinos Season and Hegemony

To fully understand the significance of this development, it is necessary to examine the broader context of Leeds Rhinos’ recent trajectory in the Betfred Super League.

Following a transitional and highly inconsistent 2025 campaign—which saw significant roster rotation and the mid-season integration of head coach Brad Arthur—the Rhinos entered 2026 facing immense pressure to return to the upper echelons of English rugby league.

A pivotal factor in their current success has been the lethal attacking partnership between Brodie Croft and full-back Lachlan Miller, alongside the explosive form of winger Maika Sivo, who has scored 28 tries this season after recovering from a catastrophic knee injury that sidelined him for the entirety of 2025.

Historically, the Stade Gilbert Brutus has been a graveyard for Leeds’ ambitions. Failing to score a single point across three consecutive away fixtures against Catalans Dragons between 2023 and 2025 had created a tactical hurdle that critics argued would derail any serious title challenge.

Overcoming this specific mental block, while simultaneously maintaining a seven-game unbeaten run, demonstrates a structural shift in the team’s defensive discipline and operational efficiency under Brad Arthur.

Prediction: How This Development Affects the Super League and Rugby League Stakeholders

This particular development will heavily influence several key groups across the rugby league landscape, altering expectations and competitive dynamics over the final nine weeks of the regular season.

The victory firmly establishes a cushion at the top of the table, transitioning the fan mindset from cautious optimism to a concrete expectation of silverware. Supporters can expect heightened demand for tickets and travel packages for the upcoming West Yorkshire derby at Castleford and the playoff series.

However, Croft’s masterclass acts as a double-edged sword; his dominant form will likely exacerbate long-term concerns regarding how the club will replace his creative output when he joins Warrington Wolves next season.

Castleford Tigers, who currently sit twelfth in the table and recently suffered a tight 24–18 defeat to playoff-hunting Leigh Leopards, face an incredibly daunting task on Sunday.

Leeds’ proven adaptability in high-humidity conditions indicates that traditional summer rugby fatigue will not easily disrupt the leaders.

Castleford’s coaching staff must formulate a hyper-aggressive defensive plan specifically designed to contain Croft’s lateral movement, or risk a heavy home defeat that could damage team morale as they look to distance themselves from the bottom of the table.

For chasing heavyweights like Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity, Leeds’ clinical execution in Perpignan sends a clear message that the leaders are unlikely to experience a late-season collapse.

The four-point buffer gives Brad Arthur the luxury of rotating key players or resting personnel showing signs of fatigue—such as Cooper Jenkins and Mikolaj Oledzki—without immediately sacrificing their pole position for the League Leaders’ Shield.