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Top 10 greatest comebacks in Super League history

Something you’re guaranteed every Super League season is a dramatic comeback. In many ways, Super League is the home of the comeback thanks to its fast pace and momentum swinging nature. So, today we’re counting down the top 10 greatest comebacks in Super League history.

10. Hull KR 36-42 Wigan 2012

Going into the penultimate game of the season, Wigan just needed a win to secure their second League Leaders’ Shield in three years. However, tries from Craig Hall, Lincoln Withers, Ben Galea and Jake Webster remarkably fired Hull KR 26-0 up. A pair of Wigan tries just before the break dented that advantage but soon after Rovers led 32-12. But, seeing the trophy slip through their fingers, the Warriors roared back into the contest scoring six tries to one in the latter stages of the contest to seal the silverware.

9. London 40-36 Leeds 2014

A week before the Rhinos were due back in London for the Challenge Cup Final, London produced one of the biggest shocks in Super League history. Despite being 30-8 down at the beginning of the second half, the Broncos surged back to claim their only win of the season against treble-chasing Leeds. Kieran Dixon and Mike McMeeken tries got the Broncos going before London wrapped up the comeback with three late tries as Joe Keyes completed a memorable hat-trick.

8. Halifax 26-30 Bradford 1997

These were the days when the destination of the Super League trophy was decided by the league alone so every win was vital. But in a Yorkshire derby against Halifax, the win appeared to be alluding table-topping Bradford as they found themselves 26-6 down. Nonetheless, this Bradford team was a champion side with a champion mentality. They would propel themselves back into the game at 26-22. A series of try-saving tackles looked like they’d saved the home team but scores from Jonathan Scales and Paul Loughlin sealed the win for the Bulls as they continued their surge to the Super League crown.

7. Castleford 28-30 St Helens 2014

Saints won the League Leaders’ Shield in 2014 but had Cas beaten Catalans on the final day it would’ve been a different story. Perhaps then, the Tigers should rue this missed opportunity. Three early tries from the Tigers, including one from former Saint Michael Shenton, allowed the hosts to take control. Shenton soon added a second to cancel out a Sia Soliola try leaving Cas with a commanding halftime lead. Two St Helens tries got them back into the game but Justin Carney’s score on the hour mark looked like it had settled the contest in favour of Castleford. However, you should never write off the Saints. They poached three late tries which turned the game on its head and saw them leave the Jungle top of the league.

6. Leeds 30-20 St Helens 2003

A young and upcoming Rhinos side sat second in the league towards the end of 2003. They appeared to be the biggest threat to Bradford at the top of the table. But it looked like their season could be unravelling when they found themselves 20-0 down. Then the Rhinos suddenly woke up and scored 24 points in 11 minutes to take the lead with Richie Mathers scoring the vital try. In the dying minutes, Willie Poching sealed a remarkable 30-20 win for Leeds.

5. Hull FC 27-26 St Helens 2010

So often we’re praising St Helens’ never say die attitude, but on this occasion Hull did to them what they so often do to others. Despite heading in front thanks to a Tom Briscoe try, Hull found themselves 26-6 down. It looked like the game was over but a burst of 21 unanswered points including tries from Jordan Turner, Danny Houghton, Willie Manu and Danny Tickle won the game for the Black and Whites.

4. Wakefield 30-32 Leeds 2009

It was set to be a memorable day in Wakefield’s history. They had cruised 30-16 in front and, despite an Ali Lauitiiti try, had an 8-point lead with less than 3 minutes remaining. Their first Super League home victory against Leeds looked certain. But a scampering Rob Burrow try in the 78th minute gave Leeds a glimmer of hope. With one set left to play and needing one try, the Rhinos dribbled the ball behind the Wakefield defence before shifting it wide to Danny McGuire who, despite slipping, put Scott Donald in at the corner to snatch an unlikely win and break Wakefield hearts.

3. St Helens 32-34 Catalans 2012

For 45 minutes St Helens were utterly dominant against the Dragons and led 26-8. Catalans started the comeback with three tries from Damian Blanch, Vincent Duport and Scott Dureau but all hope seemed lost when Gary Wheeler scored his second for the Saints. A Setaimata Sa try gave Catalans late hope before they produced their very own Wide to West moment in St Helens’ back yard. They kept the ball alive moving it from right to left and back again. Daryl Millard finished the move levelling the scores and Dureau’s touchline conversion won the game for the French side.

2. Huddersfield 26-27 Leeds 2020

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