Halifax Panthers Defeat Leeds Rhinos in Wheelchair Super League Grand Final in Manchester 2026

Key Points

• Halifax Panthers defeated Leeds Rhinos 64-24 in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League Grand Final to become back-to-back double treble winners.
• The victory completed a clean sweep of trophies for the second successive season, having already won the Betfred Challenge Cup and League Leaders’ Shield.
• Leeds Rhinos initially took an 8-0 lead at the Belle Vue Leisure Centre in Manchester thanks to early tries from Nathan Collins.
• Jack Brown scored six tries and Rob Hawkins crossed four times, with Cian Horgan also touching down for the Panthers.
• Player-coach Wayne Boardman landed 10 conversions from 11 attempts and praised star player Jack Brown after the match.
• Tom Halliwell and Josh Butler scored for Leeds, but the Rhinos ultimately finished as runners-on across all three major competitions this season.

Manchester (The Leeds Times) September 21, 2026 – Halifax Panthers secured a dominant 64-24 victory over Leeds Rhinos to claim the Wheelchair Super League Grand Final title and cement their status as double treble winners.The contest began with the Rhinos putting immense pressure on the champions. As reported by Phil Caplan of Total Rugby League, Leeds initially took an 8-0 lead thanks to tries from an impressive Nathan Collins. The opening stages saw Leeds utilize an effective short-kicking game that forced Halifax into conceding multiple goal-line drop-outs. Nathan Collins successfully converted a penalty-goal to establish the early advantage, while defensive efforts from players like Josh Butler kept Halifax at bay during the initial exchanges.

However, the Panthers quickly shifted momentum through the blistering pace of Jack Brown and Rob Hawkins. As detailed by match reports, three tries in a blistering six-minute window turned an 8-0 deficit into an 18-8 lead for Halifax. Wayne Boardman chipped over strategically, allowing Jack Brown to race through and score before adding a quick second try.

How did Halifax Panthers build their commanding half-time lead?

As the first half progressed, the Panthers continued to exploit space despite fierce resistance from the Rhinos. Jack Brown completed a brilliant first-half hat-trick with a sharp shimmy near the line, while Rob Hawkins also crossed twice before the interval. Conversions from player-coach Wayne Boardman kept the scoreboard ticking over, helping extend the advantage to 34-8 by the break.

The high-octane nature of the fixture was underscored by equipment strain on the court. Jack Brown was forced to manually saw metal off his own sports chair at half-time following structural damage sustained during the brutal, fast-paced opening exchanges.

What happened during the second-half fightback from Leeds?

Displaying commendable resilience, the Rhinos emerged from the interval determined to claw their way back into the contest. Leeds dominated early second-half possession, forcing another series of drop-outs and penalties. Josh Butler powered over the line, followed swiftly by a jinking try from Nathan Collins to reduce the deficit.

Yet, any hopes of a full comeback were systematically dismantled by Halifax’s lethal transition play. Rob Hawkins produced a stunning defensive pass to clear his own try line, instantly launching a counter-attack that allowed Jack Brown to race clear for his fourth and fifth tries.

Further tries from Finlay O’Neill’s setup of Brown and an overhead-pass finish by Cian Horgan kept the scoreboard moving. Tom Halliwell scored a late consolation try for Leeds, but Rob Hawkins had the final word, crossing on the final play to wrap up the comprehensive 64-24 scoreline.

What did the coaches and players say after the final whistle?

Reflecting on the historic victory, Halifax player-coach Wayne Boardman expressed his admiration for his standout performer. As reported by Serious About Rugby League, Boardman stated that he was “in awe” of England World Cup winner Jack Brown, remarking:

“He was amazing, I don’t know how he does what he does.”

Addressing the team’s overall defensive display despite conceding territory, Boardman noted:

“We had way too many errors as a team, but 24 points conceded is good defence and that’s what we focus on, then the offence will look after itself. We have enough talent to put the ball over the line, but you have got to stop the opposition doing that.”

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Background of the particular development

The 2026 Grand Final victory marks the culmination of an unprecedented period of dominance for the Halifax Panthers in elite wheelchair rugby league. Having previously secured the Betfred Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield, this latest Grand Final triumph completes a clean sweep of major domestic silverware for the second consecutive year, earning them the rare “double treble” designation. Their opponents, Leeds Rhinos, finished as runners-up across all three primary domestic competitions throughout the season, demonstrating consistent elite performance while continually pushing the Panthers to their tactical limits.

This rivalry has grown increasingly physical and high-profile, mirroring the broader professionalisation and surging television audiences of wheelchair rugby league following international milestones like the Rugby League World Cup.

Prediction on how this development can affect the sport and international representation

This resounding victory by the Halifax Panthers and the high-intensity performances of stars like Jack Brown, Rob Hawkins, and Nathan Collins carry profound implications for the upcoming international calendar, specifically affecting the England national team’s preparations. With national coach Tom Coyd naming a core contingent of players from both Halifax and Leeds in the final England squad for the upcoming Wheelchair World Cup in Australia, the domestic dominance directly translates into hardened, battle-tested synergy on the global stage.

For the broader audience of rugby league enthusiasts and aspiring athletes, this level of competitive standard elevates the sport’s profile, drives broadcast engagement via platforms like Sky Sports, and sets a rigorous benchmark for domestic clubs aiming to break the duopoly of Halifax and Leeds in future seasons.