This week we head to the home of Leeds Rhinos Headingley Stadium for a huge game between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR as they battle to reach Wembley all the while at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium Leigh Leopards and St Helens meet.
Thus, there is no Super League action to dig our teeth into but it poised at an interesting position with Hull FC and Hull KR battling with Salford Red Devils and Leeds for a place in the play-offs and Warrington aren’t out of the woods just yet.
At the bottom, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity are locked in a battle to survive after Wakefield’s sudden run of brilliant form.
Leigh meanwhile are among the clubs chasing Catalans Dragons at the top as the story of the league continues to unfold.
Over the past five months, we have seen unmatched athleticism, lightning-fast pace and superhuman work ethic – and Catapult Sports have collated the standout stats as we look back on a whirlwind season so far.
The need for speed in rugby league is paramount. Game-breaking plays often stem from bursts of pace against fatigued defensive lines. Matty Ashton has become renowned for his pace and ability to break opposition defences through the eye of a needle. The Warrington winger has made 18 clean breaks this season – the second most across Super League.
Unsurprisingly, Ashton also boasts the fastest recorded speed in 2023. The England international clocked a breakneck speed of 36.41km/h during the Wolves clash with Huddersfield Giants earlier this season. Ashton showing there’s no substitute for pace – proven by his ability to hit huge speeds on a consistent basis. He has reached a top speed of 33km/h or more in nine games this season – more than any other player in the competition.
Saints’ flyer Tee Ritson sits just behind Ashton in the speed charts thanks to a 36.06km/h effort against Hull FC in Round 16. Ritson burst onto the scene during his time at Championship side Barrow Raiders – and has shown plenty of potential in his maiden season in the top flight.
Corey Hall – who joined Hull KR mid-way through the 2023 season – clocked a top speed of 35.38km/h during a tough away defeat to table topping Catalans Dragons. The versatile Hall sits third in the top speed charts in 2023, narrowly ahead of Wigan’s Jai Field and Huddersfield’s Kevin Naiqama, who both share a top speed of 35.19km/h.
Maverick half-back Mikey Lewis is renowned for his off-the-cuff style and eye-catching skill. But the Hull KR youngster also has an unrivalled work rate – he boasts the record for most distance covered in a single game this season, covering 9.58km during Hull KR’s golden point defeat against Wigan Warriors in Round 13.
And Lewis also sits in the top 10 high speeds in 2023 – he hit an impressive maximum velocity of 35.08km/h during the Robins’ Derby Day demolition of Hull FC in Rivals Round.
Here is the top five according to Super League:
2023 TOP SPEED (KM/H)
1. Matty Ashton (Wolves) – 36.41
2. Tee Ritson (Saints) – 36.06
3. Corey Hall (Robins) – 35.38
4. Kevin Naiqama (Giants) – 35.19
5. Jai Field (Warriors) – 35.19
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