Jake Connor strengthens Super League Man of Steel claim as Hull FC and Wigan Warriors men lead chase

Leeds Rhinos playmaker Jake Connor has picked up another three points in the race to be crowned Super League Man of Steel, extending his lead from the chasing pack which includes stars from both Hull FC and Wigan Warriors.

The Rhinos held off a Wakefield Trinity comeback as they won 22-18 to reclaim third spot in Super League with Connor picking up a try in the game. Max Jowitt led the comeback and scored a brace and earned one point for that with Kallum Watkins scooping up two.

Jowitt wasn’t the only player on the losing side to earn Man of Steel points with George Flanagan doing so in Huddersfield’s 28-24 loss to Leigh Leopards, another of Super League Round 13’s failed comebacks. Lachlan Lam and Ben McNamara took home three and two points respectively.

George Lawler was another player to score a brace when on the losing side and he too earned one point from Castleford’s loss against Warrington Wolves, whilst Marc Sneyd (three) and Matt Dufty (two) claimed the spoils.

The reigning Super League Man of Steel picked up just one point despite his dazzling display against St Helens with Eribe Doro (three) and Jack Broadbent (two) outpointing Mikey Lewis in Hull KR’s 34-4 win over Saints.

Hat-trick hero Jacob Douglas picked up a hat-trick of points whilst Jai Field (two) and Junior Nsemba (one) both earned Man of Steel points to go with their tries, with Field among those chasing Connor down in the overall standings.

The man who leads that chase is Herman Ese’ese and he earned another two points this weekend as Hull FC defeated Catalans Dragons 34-0, with Davy Litten (three) and Will Pryce (one) also claiming spoils.

Connor now leads the overall standings on 19 points, three clear of Herman Ese’ese and four clear of Jai Field. The previous two winners Mikey Lewis and Bevan French sit ninth and tenth on nine and eight points respectively.

Super League Man of Steel Round 13 results and overall standings

Huddersfield Giants v Leigh Leopards
3 points: Lachlan Lam
2 points: Ben McNamara
1 point: George Flanagan

Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers
3 points: Marc Sneyd
2 points: Matt Dufty
1 point: George Lawler

Hull KR v St Helens
3 points: Eribe Doro
2 points: Jack Broadbent
1 point: Mikey Lewis

Salford Red Devils v Wigan Warriors
3 points: Jacob Douglas
2 points: Jai Field
1 point: Junior Nsemba

Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity
3 points: Jake Connor
2 points: Kallum Watkins
1 point: Max Jowitt

Catalans Dragons v Hull FC
3 points: Davy Litten
2 points: Herman Ese’ese
1 point: Will Pryce

2025 Super League Man of Steel standings

1: Jake Connor – 19
2: Herman Ese’ese – 16
3: Jai Field – 15
4: Aidan Sezer – 13
5: Nick Cotric – 12
6: Lachlan Miller – 11
7: Junior Nsemba – 10
8: Edwin Ipape – 9
9: Mikey Lewis – 9
10: Bevan French – 8

Taking the three @StevePrescott1 MBE Man of Steel points in Round 13 👀#SuperLeague

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) June 3, 2025