Maika Sivo's Hat-Trick Secures Leeds Victory Over Warrington
Maika Sivo has achieved three hat-tricks in his last five games, demonstrating his exceptional try-scoring ability. In a recent Super League match, Sivo scored three tries as Leeds Rhinos defeated Warrington Wolves, ending Warrington's status as the only team with a 100% winning record in the competition.
Warrington initially took a strong lead, scoring 12 points early in the game through tries by Josh Thewlis and Josh Smith. However, Sivo's three tries propelled Leeds ahead, helping them recover from their previous loss to Hull FC.
After Toby King brought Warrington back into the lead, Leeds responded with tries from Jack Bird, making his full debut, and Brodie Croft, alongside a penalty kicked by Jake Connor. These efforts rendered Josh Smith's second try for Warrington inconsequential.
This victory places Leeds Rhinos in third position on the league table, just behind Warrington in second place.
Match Progress and Key Moments
Leeds had faced challenges in maintaining their form following a significant victory against Hull Kingston Rovers in Las Vegas. They suffered a defeat to Wakefield Trinity in the Challenge Cup and faced criticism from coach Brad Arthur after a poor performance at the MKM Stadium.
The so-called "Vegas hangover" appeared to affect Leeds early in the match, as 18-year-old Warrington talent Ewan Irwin successfully kicked a penalty, and Josh Thewlis scored the opening try. Irwin's impressive 40-20 kick created an attacking opportunity that led to Josh Smith's try.
Leeds gradually gained momentum, with Jake Connor, despite an inconsistent kicking day, collaborating effectively with Brodie Croft. They maneuvered the ball to the left wing, where Sivo powered over for his first try. After a video referee decision disallowed a potential Warrington try by James Harrison, Sivo scored again, reducing the deficit to four points by halftime.
Early in the second half, Sivo completed his hat-trick, bringing his season total to 12 Super League tries. Warrington responded with a try from Toby King, set up by a sharp offload from George Williams, regaining the lead.
Leeds' Croft then orchestrated plays that led to James McDonnell setting up Jack Bird's try and later scored himself after a break by Ash Handley. Connor added a penalty following a high tackle on Keenan Palasia, providing Leeds with a buffer. Josh Smith's late try for Warrington was insufficient to change the outcome.
Player and Coach Reactions
Leeds centre Jack Bird told BBC Radio Leeds:
"Maika's a big man, a try-scoring freak. He's scored 12 tries in five games - that's more than I have in a whole year. He knows how to find the line.
I'm glad he's on our team. I used to come up against him in the NRL. I know how hard he is to tackle. He tried fighting me once!
We needed a change of attitude in training this week, and that was a tough, gritty win for us. If we can keep doing that each week, we will turn a lot of teams away."
Warrington head coach Sam Burgess said:
"It's a tough loss. They were very hard conditions to manage for both sides. They're very dangerous, and we paid for our lack of managing that in the second half, but I'm really proud of our effort to keep challenging.
Today wasn't the result we wanted, but it's OK; as a group we'll definitely learn, and we'll keep learning throughout the whole season."
Team Line-Ups
Leeds Rhinos: Miller; Sivo, Bird, Handley, Hall; Croft, Connor; Holroyd, Levi, Palasia, Watkins, McDonnell, Smith.
Interchanges: O'Connor, Jenkins, Oledzki, Hankinson.
Warrington Wolves: Josh Thewlis; Ashton, King, Hopoate, J. Smith; Williams, Irwin; Yates, Walker, Byrne, Tanginoa, Stone, Currie.
Interchanges: Harrison, Crowther, Philbin, Webster.
