JAKE Connor is perhaps Super League’s – and maybe even rugby league’s – premier wind-up merchant, and woe betide anyone who finds themselves in his sights.
On Thursday night, it was Kyle Feldt.
The two were engaged in a running battle throughout the 80 minutes, with Connor lighting the fuse after making the “I saw it” gesture at Feldt following Saints behind undone on his edge as Chris Hankinson marked his 100th Super League appearance with a try.
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The winger returned serve when he forced his way over for his own try which helped the visitors into a 16-8 half-time lead, but twice more found himself on the receiving end of Connor’s taunts as the Rhinos powered away after the break for a 24-16 triumph.
As is the style, it was all forgotten at the final hooter as the pair shook hands. All is fair in rugby league and war, it seems.
“It’s tit-for-tat,” Connor, who was clearly revelling in night’s antics as Leeds edged two points clear at the top of Super League after the round 13 opener, told Sky Sports.
“You like to get into the opposition some times when a play comes off, and then they did one and got back into it.
“It’s all good, we shook hands at the end, but frustration from both teams took over sometimes.”
Connor and Feldt’s running feud was a microcosm of the sometimes fractious nature of the contest which boiled over on a couple of occasions, and saw David Klemmer and Cam Smith sent to the sinbin.
Maika Sivo’s sixth try in as many games, putting him on 20 for the season in Super League already, and Harry Newman’s finish plus six goals from halfback Connor’s boot helped the Rhinos to their first home win over St Helens at Headingley since August 2017.
But while the backs grabbed the glory, it was a night for the forwards to do the hard work which culminated in prop Mikolaj Oledzki earning the player of the match accolade after making 115 metres, two tackle busts, and 15 tackles.
And while last year’s Super League playoff exit at the hands of St Helens thanks to the ‘Left to Wright’ try was a personal motivator, the England international insisted the previous round’s defeat to Challenge Cup winners Wigan Warriors was more in their minds.
“The Leeds boys understand the rivalry [with St Helens], the boys who have been here for a few years understand the rivalry and how much it means to the fans and the club to win in these big games,” Oledzki told Sky Sports.
“We didn’t need any more extra motivation, but it added that bit of extra flame to the fire.
“We were disappointed with the Wigan game because it was a test for us to see where we are, but we regathered ourselves and what a gritty performance from us.”
Oledzki is among those who will be departing Leeds at the end of the 2026 Super League season when he joins NRL newcomers Perth Bears.
Try-scorer Newman and second row James McDonnell are both linking up with Mal Meninga’s men too, while star half Brodie Croft is switching to Super League rivals Warrington Wolves.
There is once again uncertainty about whether head coach Brad Arthur will be around beyond this year too, and the fact change is in the air is not lost on Connor as the eight-time Super League champions eye lifting the trophy at Old Trafford in October.
“We’ve got a lot moving on and they’re all going to be missed, so we’ve got to make this year special,” Connor said.
“That’s what we’re looking to do, so we’ve got to make it count for them.”
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