From Las Vegas to Hull: Super League comes home with a thriller

David Armstrong touches down for Leigh as Super League returns to British shores. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA

The times are changing in Super League, perhaps best epitomised by the fact there is an unfamiliar name sitting at the summit as the season settles into a rhythm in some style after the pomp and circumstance of Las Vegas last ­weekend, with Hull FC and Leigh Leopards playing out a ­pulsating 22-22 draw here.

Wigan and Warrington were tasked with taking Super League Stateside to spread the message to the world but, perhaps more importantly, to Australia’s National Rugby League, which is now seriously ramping up its intent to take a controlling stake in British rugby league’s premier competition and revitalise its off-field fortunes.

And if the key powerbrokers had woken up early down under to see what they could be purchasing in terms of an on-field product, they would have certainly been heartened here. Leigh and Hull came into this season with differing expectations, given how the Leopards were within one game of the Grand Final in 2024 and Hull limped to 11th place.

But it is clear both these sides will be confident not only of challenging at the right end of Super League this year, but also of being under consideration for the Vegas trip in 2026, with all 12 teams invited to lodge their interest this week. The pair delivered a high-quality, gripping contest here: everything Super League is renowned for.

In the end, they could not be split after 90 minutes of incredible drama. Hull, revitalised under John Cartwright, forced extra time after Lewis Martin’s try on the hooter ­having trailed by only six at the break despite having two men sent to the sin-bin. Their spirit and endeavour under their new coach is clear for all to see.

But this Leigh side, who were in the Championship three years ago, are now bona fide title contenders. Two tries from their outstanding new full-back, David Armstrong, looked to have clinched it before Martin’s late try but even with a hard-earned point, they go top of Super League for the first time in their history.

“I think it’s a fair result,” their coach, Adrian Lam, reflected. “It’ll have been good to watch on TV. I can’t question their effort.” His opposite number, Cartwright, shared a ­similar view. “The heart is still racing. We kept chasing them and the effort was outstanding.”

As evidenced here, Super League’s on-field product is unquestionable, which is partly why the NRL wants in. But it also sees a strong British game as key for its plans to grow the sport worldwide, with Vegas and the United States sporting market central to that. It is expected to lodge an offer in the coming weeks.

And the NRL potentially comes on board at an intriguing time for the British game. There is no doubting the competition delivers drama and entertainment – but sometimes, it has too much of that away from the field, and Salford Red Devils have been a prime example of that in recent weeks.

Their players will take to the field against Castleford on Friday night having been paid a week later than originally expected, with funding delays surrounding their new takeover leaving them in special measures and bound by salary cap restrictions imposed upon them by the Rugby Football League.

Then there are plans from several clubs to try to oust the Rugby Football League’s chair, Simon Johnson, and bring back the former CEO, Nigel Wood – who is now chairman of the Championship side Bradford. Those proposals will be heard next week and you can be sure the NRL will be listening closely. It wants to buy a competition with minimal in-fighting.

But if the NRL can somehow straighten up Super League’s off-field financial picture and its constant boardroom drama, games such as this underline how it has one heck of a product to build upon. All the ­ingredients are there: it just needs the right leadership.