Super League attendance sees Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Wigan Warriors draw huge crowds

Round 23 of Super League has concluded and the race for the playoffs has tightened up even further. The attendance figures are also in with three of the six matches clearing crowds of 12,000.

Following on from a somewhat underwhelming Magic Weekend in terms of both the on-field results and the worrying attendance, Super League bounced back on Friday night with two matches.

Warrington Wolves saw off Castleford Tigers and a star was born as Cai Taylor-Wray scored his first Super League try to help Wire earn a 28-6 win, whilst Leeds Rhinos ramped up the pressure on Catalans Dragons and their playoff status as they won 18-6 at Headingley.

Saturday saw the statement performances of the round as Hull KR solidified their top spot with a resounding 42-6 win over St Helens, putting Saints’ playoff chances at risk especially after Salford leapfrogged them into fourth with their massive ten-try 60-10 win over Huddersfield Giants.

Sunday was time for champions Wigan to respond to Hull KR and Warrington and although Matt Peet’s side won, their 22-4 victory over lowly Hull FC left Matt Peet looking for improvement. Elsewhere Leigh Leopards drew within one point of the playoffs as they beat London Broncos 32-12.

It means that just four points separate fourth from eighth as the race for the Super League playoffs looks set for a brilliant climax and there were some brilliant attendance figures to witness the games.

Round 23 Super League attendance

Three of the six games saw crowds clear 12,000 but it was St Helens’ clash with Hull KR that topped the charts as 13,588 turned up, with a good proportion being the travelling Robins’ fans.

Headingley also boasted a crowd of over 13,000 as 13,050 turned up to see the Rhinos keep their playoff hopes alive, whilst 12,347 turned up on Sunday to see Wigan Warriors beat Hull FC.

Castleford Tigers had made a big deal about trying to hit a large Super League attendance for their game against Warrington given the huge IMG benefits if they can keep their average crowd over 7,500 and on Friday night they fell just short with 7,449 turning out.

Those four attendance figures dwarf the two other games with Salford and Huddersfield being witnessed by just 3,319 and London’s clash with Leigh being played out in front of less than 2,000.

Round 23 Super League Attendance

Castleford Tigers 6-28 Warrington Wolves – 7,449
Leeds Rhinos 18-6 Catalans Dragons – 13,050
St Helens 6-42 Hull KR – 13,588
Salford Red Devils 60-10 Huddersfield Giants – 3,319
London Broncos 12-32 Leigh Leopards – 1,950
Wigan Warriors 22-4 Hull FC – 12,347

Figures sourced from Rugby League Project