ONE thing we have learnt about rugby league in recent years is that it is not unusual for shocks and surprises to be thrown up throughout the year.
With the 2026 season about to kick off, Rugby League World makes six bold predictions of stories that could come out of the new Super League campaign.
Bulls to earn some local bragging rights
IT might not have been seen in the league for 11 years, but the rivalry between Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos has never gone away.
The last time the two old foes met in a competitive match was in 2019 when a relatively young, Championship-based Bradford side, coached by John Kear, sprung a Challenge Cup surprise to win 24-22.
It was clear to see how much that victory meant to everyone involved at the club, and such passion could easily see them sealing a memorable win in one of the three games against Leeds.
Cudjoe to make a comeback
LEROY CUDJOE is Huddersfield Giants through and through and his retirement at the end of last season left big shoes to fill.
He’s not gone far though and has stayed involved with the side as part of Luke Robinson’s coaching set-up. An active involvement that will see him maintain his own fitness levels.
If the Giants endure another tough run of injuries like they suffered in 2025, it is highly feasible that the 37-year-old could lace up a pair of boots again to help his beloved club out, rather than see them struggle once again.
Hastings to make a starring return
JACKSON HASTINGS was a revelation last time he played on UK soil, starring for both Salford and Wigan, before heading back to Australia and joining West Tigers.
A spell at Newcastle Knights followed but the half-back was never quite able to regain the form he showed in Super League.
But now he’s back in Super League, and if St Helens get themselves back on the trophy trail, much of it could be down to Hastings’ on-field influence. That would surely put him in line for the Man of Steel award at the end of the season.
Siva to finally burst on to the scene
WITH 104 tries in 115 NRL appearances, Leeds Rhinos fans were rightly excited about seeing what winger Maika Sivo could bring to Headingley in 2025 following his move from Parramatta Eels.
But an ACL injury sustained in the pre-season game against Wigan ruled the Fiji international for the whole campaign.
Now, fully fit once again, and under the coaching of Brad Arthur, who helped bring the best out of Sivo at the Eels, the 32-year-old is ready for action and will no doubt set Headingley and Super League alight with his trademark bulldozing runs down the touchline.
Wigan to bounce back
2025 was the first time in four seasons that Wigan Warriors ended the year with no trophy to their name – and that clearly hurt Matt Peet and his team.
Having lost their Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final titles to Hull KR, the Warriors will not want to miss out on silverware again.
Hull KR will no doubt be challengers again, but with the Robins facing early season distractions of a World Club Challenge against Brisbane and a trip to Las Vegas, Wigan will look to take advantage and get ahead of the pack.
Connor back in international fold
MAN of Steel Jake Connor was the one man people were talking about ahead of the 2025 Ashes series, not because he’d earned a first international call up since 2019, but because he hadn’t.
Having enjoyed his best season in a long time, many expected him to face the Aussies, who would find his unpredictable play difficult to handle.
But Shaun Wane stood firm, and despite saying he picked on form, Connor was left out of the squad. With Wane now gone, his replacement as England coach could well call on Connor’s potential, especially if he stars for Leeds once again.
First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 517 (February 2026)