Key Points
- Leeds Rhinos face a severe injury crisis ahead of their crucial play-off semi-final clash against Warrington Wolves.
- Head coach Brad Arthur is already missing senior backs Lachie Miller (hamstring), Ash Handley (back/bulging disc), and Jack Bird (hamstring).
- Winger Maika Sivo suffered a shoulder injury during training on Wednesday, making him a major doubt and leaving the club to monitor him until the warm-up.
- Youngster Fergie McCormack has been confirmed by Arthur to start at fullback.
- Selection dilemmas remain at centre between Chris Hankinson and Ned McCormack, alongside bench decisions involving Zak Lloyd and Presley Cassell.
- Riley Lumb is positioned to take up a wing spot if Sivo fails to prove his fitness.
- Despite backline disruption, Leeds maintain a powerful and stable pack bolstered by the returns of James McDonnell and Keenan Palasia.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) September 25, 2026 — At the worst time possible, Leeds Rhinos have encountered their biggest injury crisis of the season. Injuries to Lachie Miller, Ash Handley and Jack Bird had already given head coach Brad Arthur a selection headache with their respective injuries, but the potential absence of Maika Sivo takes things to a whole new level. As reported by Matthew Shaw of Love Rugby League, Sivo suffered a shoulder injury in training on Wednesday and is now considered a doubt by the Rhinos, who are going to give him as much time as possible to prove his fitness before Friday night. That could result in him even taking part in the warm-up to see if he is good to go.
How are injuries shaping the Leeds Rhinos backline?
The reality is that Leeds are going to have a drastically changed backline one way or another, and when you piece it together, it highlights the issue. Sivo only played 20 Super League games this year, but those efforts saw him named in the Super League Dream Team as one of six Leeds players to be included, meaning his potential omission is a heavy blow.
As detailed by TotalRL, the Rhinos will be without key men Lachlan Miller, Ash Handley, and Jack Bird due to hamstring, bulging disc, and hamstring injuries respectively. This leaves them potentially missing four of their senior backs for the contest. However, the Rhinos have named their 21-man squad for the contest, and it becomes clear what the likely direction of travel is.
As reported by Matthew Shaw of Love Rugby League, Arthur has already admitted Fergie McCormack will play fullback, with the youngster a specialist in the position.
What decisions remain for Brad Arthur in the squad selection?
The remaining selection decisions to make come primarily at centre and on the bench. According to Matthew Shaw of Love Rugby League, the options at centre are seemingly Chris Hankinson and Ned McCormack. If Hankinson gets the nod, that would seemingly open the door for Kallum Watkins to start in the back-row. Following that, the decision would revolve around whether Zak Lloyd or Presley Cassell play off the bench.
That setup would leave Riley Lumb to play on the wing if Sivo does not make it, after Lumb was named in the initial 21-man squad. Lumb has only played five times this year, but now might get a call-up in one of the biggest games of the entire season.
Can the Leeds pack compensate for backline changes?
The good news for Leeds is that they are still strong in the pack, and that is an area where they have dominated all year. Keenan Palasia is back alongside James McDonnell—who returns from a pectoral issue—leaving them looking robust and formidable in the middle of the pitch.
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Background of the particular development
The unfolding situation at Headingley arrives at the climax of the 2026 Betfred Super League season, directly ahead of the play-off semi-finals. Leeds finished the regular season near the top of the league standings, securing a crucial home semi-final berth and a week’s rest following consistent high-level performances. However, a grueling 27-round campaign has caught up with the West Yorkshire club physically, exposing squad depth as a decisive factor. Losing multiple spine and outside-back options simultaneously places immense pressure on a youthful contingent like Fergie McCormack and Riley Lumb to perform under high-stakes knockout conditions.
Prediction
This severe personnel disruption forces a reshuffled defensive structure for Leeds Rhinos as they prepare to face a formidable and fully fit Warrington Wolves outfit led by head coach Sam Burgess. For the supporters and the club, the heavy reliance on inexperienced youngsters in the outside backs means defensive communication and handling under pressure will be heavily tested by Warrington’s creative halves. While the strength and stability of the starting forward pack give Leeds a platform to fight for territorial dominance, the ultimate outcome may rest on how effectively the makeshift backline can contain Warrington’s established threats on the edges.
