Hull KR Humiliated 58-6 by Leeds Rhinos in Las Vegas Super League Showdown

It was supposed to be the night Hull Kingston Rovers announced themselves on the biggest stage in rugby league. Instead, the defending Super League champions were torn apart in the Nevada desert, suffering a humiliating 58-6 defeat at the hands of Leeds Rhinos at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday evening.

The scoreline made for grim reading back in East Yorkshire. Winger Maika Sivo was utterly unstoppable, crossing for four tries as Leeds ran in ten in total, inflicting Hull KR's heaviest-ever defeat against the Rhinos. Jake Connor and Brodie Croft also starred in a dominant Rhinos display that left the Robins reeling from the opening whistle.

Leeds led 28-0 at half-time and there was no route back for Willie Peters' side, who looked a shadow of the team that had lifted the World Club Challenge trophy just weeks earlier with a thrilling 30-24 victory over Brisbane Broncos on 19 February. The gulf in performance between that unforgettable night and this Las Vegas mauling was staggering.

Peters takes responsibility

Head coach Willie Peters cut a dejected figure in his post-match press conference, admitting his side had delivered their worst performance since he took charge at Craven Park.

"There's no sugar-coating that — it was our worst performance under me, and we let our fans down," Peters said. "The people who travelled all the way out here to support us deserved so much better. We were second best in every department and Leeds were outstanding. Full credit to them."

The defeat leaves Hull KR sitting on zero Super League points after the opening two rounds of the 2026 season, a far cry from the title-winning form that carried them to the Grand Final last October. Peters insisted the result would not define their campaign, but acknowledged there is significant work to be done on the training ground.

Record Vegas crowd witnesses rout

The Las Vegas double-header once again attracted a record crowd, with rugby league continuing to build its profile in North America. However, for the thousands of Hull KR fans who had made the transatlantic trip, the occasion was one to forget.

"We'd saved up for months to come out here," said lifelong supporter Dave Richardson from Holderness Road. "You expect a bit of magic in Vegas — we just didn't expect it to come from the other team."

The Rhinos' performance was clinical from start to finish. Sivo's four-try haul was the standout individual effort, but the damage was inflicted across the park. Leeds' forwards dominated the middle third, their halves found space at will, and their defence was resolute throughout.

What happens next?

For Hull KR, the challenge now is to regroup quickly. The Super League season is a marathon rather than a sprint, and Peters will know that his squad — packed with international quality — has the depth and talent to recover from this setback. However, the manner of the defeat will concern supporters who had dreamed of a repeat title challenge.

The Robins return to action at Craven Park next weekend where they will be desperate to get their first points on the board. After the highs of the World Club Challenge and the lows of Las Vegas, one thing is certain — this Hull KR season is going to be anything but predictable.