Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin believes it is ‘wild’ for supporters to write off Leeds Rhinos’ Grand Final chances despite a stuttering end to their regular Super League campaign.
Brad Arthur’s side suffered three defeats in their final five games—including disappointing home losses to Leigh Leopards, Wigan Warriors, and Hull FC—to hand top spot in the table to Wigan.
The Rhinos’ title push was dealt a further blow following news that star full-back Lachie Miller has been ruled out for the rest of the post-season with a severe hamstring injury.
However, speaking on Sky Sports, Wilkin insists fans are far too quick to throw in the towel ahead of Friday night’s play-off semi-final against Warrington Wolves at Headingley:
“I was at an event in Leeds this week and listened to a table full of Leeds fans tell me how shambolic they’ve been over the last three weeks or that they’d bottled it, essentially.”
“I was like ‘wow, it’s wild for you to write this Leeds team off’.”
“With Brad Arthur as the coach, if Lachie Miller is the reason the wheels fall off then they don’t deserve to win it anyway. I think with Ash Handley there they can do it.”
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Wilkin brush off Wigan defeat as Leeds Rhinos prepare for Warrington test
Despite their late slump, Leeds earned a week of rest during the Elimination Finals by securing a top-two finish.
Addressing the heavy defeat against Wigan late in the regular season, Wilkin believes the setback could actually work in Leeds’ favor if both sides meet again at Old Trafford:
“I wasn’t disappointed with the Wigan defeat because I think Wigan are that good and they’ve had me on notice for a long time that they can do that to anyone.”
“The likelihood of them doing it again to Leeds if they get to the final is not as high. It’s almost encouraging it came at that stage of the season.”
“The Hull defeat that’s not the wheels off but it’s the last wheel nut in.”
The Rhinos will host Sam Burgess’ Warrington Wolves at Headingley on Friday, September 25, with a spot in the 2026 Super League Grand Final on the line.
Eric T Cat
September 22, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Battle of the Bottlers. Leeds or Warrington to lose to Wigan in the final. Only two clubs have won trophies since Leigh beat Hull KR in the 2023 Cup Final. Otherwise it’s been Wigan domination, the flare up of Hull KR, and the rest, nowhere.