Key Points
- Broncos to win World Club Challenge
- Saints to suffer back-to-back defeats
- Wigan to make it two from two
Super League Round 2 & World Club Challenge Betting Preview
The opening round of the Super League was impressive with newly-promoted sides York and Toulouse getting off the mark with victories over champions Hull KR and Wakefield Trinity respectively.
I have to admit I was surprised with those two results. I expected York and Toulouse to struggle in the opening weeks, but they rose to the occasion and time will tell if they can do that on a weekly basis.
Bradford Bulls - the third promoted team - fell to defeat against Hull FC, but they were in the game for the full 80 minutes and only conceded late on to lose 27-20.
There are only six Super League fixtures this weekend because Hull KR will battle it out for the World Club Challenge against NRL champions Brisbane Broncos. Hull KR will be looking to join Wigan, St Helens, Bradford and Leeds on the list of British WCC winners, while the Broncos will be looking to win it for a third time.
David Kuzio
is our rugby league expert and RL author here at Betting.co.uk. Below is his predictions for round 2, the World Club Challenge and the season as a whole. Let's see if you agree with him.
Hull Kingston Rovers vs Brisbane Broncos World Club Challenge - Thursday, February 19 20:00 GMT
The World Club Challenge sees the champions of Super League go head-to-head with the champions of the NRL. It should be a yearly event, but it is not always held that way.
A lot of people believe the English teams take this competition more seriously than the Australians, but whether that is the case or not, this is going to be a brilliant game of rugby league.
Hull KR qualified for this year’s World Club Challenge by beating Wigan Warriors 24-6 in the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, Manchester, on 11 October, 2025.
Coach Willie Peters has named his starting team and substitutes for the World Club Challenge and he has brought back Dean Hadley in the back row. Hadley was a late withdrawal for the game at York, but he has recovered from injury and he starts with Rhyse Martin dropping to the bench.
Mikey Lewis has been cleared to play from the RFL disciplinary following a trip on York's Liam Harris. If Lewis keeps his head, he will be Hull KR's best chance of getting close the the Broncos. This game will test his talent to see if he really is one of the best players in the world.
Brisbane Broncos qualified for this year’s World Club Challenge by beating Melbourne Storm 26-22 in the NRL Premiership Grand Final at Accor Stadium, Sydney, on 5 October, 2025.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has a bit of history with this competition. He coached Wigan to defeat in the 2010 World Club Challenge against St George Illawarra, before guiding South Sydney Rabbitohs to a 39-0 win over St Helens in 2015.
Reece Walsh will be the player to watch on Thursday. He lit up the crowds in Australia and did the same on the recent Ashes tour. If he is on form, he will be causing the Robins a whole host of problems.
The Brisbane team is littered with star players. Alongside Walsh, they have Kotonia Staggs, Deine Mariner, Ben Hunt, Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan and Ezra Mam.
I cannot see anything other than a Brisbane Broncos win. If they are serious in what they say about being fully prepared and focused for this game, then they will win comfortably. If they take it like a training session, then Hull KR have the players to trouble them and cause an upset.
Coach Maguire is not the kind of man to go into a game under prepared, so I will stick with my gut instinct. I am backing the Broncos to win this game by over 13 points.
I have mentioned that Walsh is the one to watch. I expect him to score at try inside 80 minutes, while I also feel that Mariner and Staggs will also cross for tries.
Hull KR vs Brisbane Broncos Betting Tips
- Brisbane Broncos to win - 2/11 @
BetMGM
- Brisbane to win by 13+ points - 17/20 @ BetMGM
- Reece Walsh anytime try scorer - Evens @ BetMGM
- Deine Mariner anytime try scorer - 19/20 @ BetMGM
- Kotoni Staggs anytime try scorer - 19/10 @ BetMGM
St Helens vs Leigh Leopards - Friday, February 20 20:00 GMT
What can I say about St Helens' performance last Friday, other than it was woeful. They looked unfit and out of ideas in the first half as Warrington picked them apart with ease.
They need to improve and quickly. They were rocked this week with the news that superstar full back Jack Welsby will be out for at least four months after he dislocated his shoulder. He joins captain Matty Lees on the sidelines.
There has been drama off the field as well with CEO Mike Rush stepping down after spending 27 years at the club in one capacity or another. This had been rumoured for a while, but former Saint Jon Wilkin hinted at a change last week when he criticised the club after their loss away at Warrington Wolves.
Coach Paul Rowley needs to shut out the background noise and just coach the players he has available. His first decision is to decide who will start at full back in place of Welsby.
Leigh got off to a winning start at home to Leeds Rhinos despite missing a few key players. They should have Isaac Liu and Aaron Pene back for the short trip to St Helens. However, Umyla Hanley is still on the sidelines with a shoulder injury.
This will be St Helens' first home game of the season, and if they do not improve on last weekend's performance the fans could soon turn on the team. I am expecting a few boos as I am tipping Leigh to win this one.
Leigh have improved every season they have been in Super League and I can see them getting even better in 2026. I am backing them to beat Saints by 1-12 points. I am backing Josh Charnley and Lachlan Lam both to score tries.
Last 10 meetings:
- Leigh 28, St Helens 10 (SLR26, 12/9/25)
- St Helens 4, Leigh 16 (SLR19, 17/7/25)
- Leigh 18, St Helens 12 (SLR27, 20/9/24)
- Leigh 46, St Helens 4 (SLR19, 26/7/24)
- St Helens 12, Leigh 4 (SLR3, 1/3/24)
- St Helens 22, Leigh 12 (SLR25, 8/9/23)
- Leigh 12, St Helens 10 (CCSF, 22/7/23)
- (at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
- Leigh 20, St Helens 12 (SLR4, 10/3/23)
- St Helens 42, Leigh 12 (SLR21, 26/8/21)
- Leigh 12, St Helens 22 (SLR5, 30/4/21)
St Helens vs Leigh Betting Tips
- Leigh Leopards to win - 13/10 @ Betfred
- Leigh to win by 1-12 points - 12/5 @ Betfred
- Josh Charnley anytime try scorer - 6/4 @ Betfred
- Lachlan Lam anytime try scorer - 6/1 @ Betfred
Wigan Warriors vs Hull FC - Saturday, February 21 20:00 GMT
Wigan Warriors want their Super League trophy back - it is as simple as that.
The Warriors were beaten at Old Trafford last October by Hull Kingston Rovers to end their two-year reign as champions. Matt Peet and his team are eager to get it back.
They managed to grind out a 26-16 win over Castleford Tigers at the OneBore Stadium last Sunday and they will take on Hull FC in their home opener on Saturday evening.
The Warriors have been rocked by the news that Jake Wardle will be out of action for up to 12 weeks with an MCL knee injury that requires surgery. It is expected that off-season signing from St Helens Dayon Sambou will go on the wing with Zach Eckersley moving into the centres.
Hull FC missed out on the play-offs last season, but they seem to have a settled squad under John Cartwright. If they can avoid serious injuries, they will be in the mix for a play-off place and possibly as date at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final.
Will Pryce was crucial for the Black and Whites last weekend when they defeated the Bradford Bulls. The Bulls pushed them all the way, but a late drop goal from Pryce and a try from Cade Cust got them home.
I cannot see many people beating Wigan on home soil this season. That is why I am backing the Warriors to make it two from two this season with a win by over 13 points.
Wardle will be a big miss, but Wigan have enough firepower to contain Hull. I am backing Bevan French, Eckersley and Liam Marshall to all score tries. The odds have not been released yet, but I will add them as soon as they set the market up.
Last 10 meetings:
Wigan 12, Hull FC 32 (SLR19, 19/7/25)
Hull FC 12, Wigan 36 (SLR9, 27/4/25)
Wigan 22, Hull FC 26 (CCR4, 15/3/25)
Hull FC 4, Wigan 46 (SLR2, 21/2/25)
Wigan 22, Hull FC 4 (SLR23, 25/8/24)
Hull FC 24, Wigan 22 (SLR18, 20/7/24)
Wigan 13, Hull FC 12 (aet) (SLR22, 18/8/23)
Hull FC 14, Wigan 10 (SLR11, 4/5/23)
Wigan 60, Hull FC 0 (SLR19, 15/7/22)
Hull FC 31, Wigan 22 (SLR13, 21/5/22)
Wigan Warriors vs Hull FC Betting Tips
- Wigan to win - 2/11 @ Betfred
- Wigan win by 13+ points - 8/11 @ Betfred
Super League Betting Accumulator
Check out my Super League and WCC acca for this weekend. See if you agree with me.
- Brisbane Broncos to win - 1/5
- Catalans Dragons to win - 1/3
- Leeds Rhinos to win - 1/25
- Leigh Leopards to win - 6/5
- Toulouse to win - 11/8
- Wigan Warriors to win - 1/6
- Wakefield Trinity to win - 4/7
Super League Acca Odds - 14/1 @
Bet365
Super League Final Positions
- Leigh Leopards
- Wigan Warriors
- Hull Kingston Rovers
- St Helens
- Leeds Rhinos
- Warrington Wolves
- Catalans Dragons
- Hull FC
- Wakefield Trinity
- Castleford Tigers
- Huddersfield Giants
- Toulouse
- Bradford Bulls
- York Knights
League Leaders Winners
- Leigh Leopards
Grand Final Winners
- Wigan Warriors
Challenge Cup Winners
- Hull FC
Man Of Steel
- Harry Smith
A lot of people will disagree with me, and I am fine with that. It is a long season and a lot of things can happen with injuries and suspensions, but I feel Leigh will have their best season yet.
I have gone with the newly promoted teams to finish in the bottom three. This is not a dig at them, the step up to Super League is harsh. By the time they get to grips with the league, their season could already be over. I know both York and Toulouse managed wins in round one, but it is a long season. Can they match the intensity they showed last week every single week?
Super League Grand Final Odds With BetMGM
The next list is the latest odds when it comes to rugby league betting and who will win Super League with
BetMGM.
- Wigan 19/10
- Hull KR 21/10
- Leeds Rhinos 6/1
- St Helens 13/2
- Leigh 11/1
- Hull FC 16/1
- Warrington 16/1
- Catalans 30/1
- Wakefield 40/1
- Huddersfield 80/1
- Castleford - 125/1
- Bradford 200/1
- Toulouse 250/1
- York 250/1
Man Of Steel Betting With Betfred
The Steve Prescott Man of Steel award goes to the player voted the best all season. The rules have changed this season. A panel of judges used to pick the three best players form each game and give them points, the one with the most at the end of the season won the Man of Steel.
Many felt that system was flawed, so there will still be a panel of judges - Ellery Hanley, Paul Sculthorpe, James Roby, Sam Tomkins and Joe Lydon - but their votes will not be made public at all.
Jake Connor is the current holder and is seventh favourite to win the trophy this year. Bevan French is the favourite and not many will argue against that, but he is probe to missing a few weeks of the season with injuries. Mikey Lewis - who won it in 2024 - is second favourite followed by Jai Field.
Here is a list of rugby league betting odds on the Man of Steel with
Betfred.
- Bevan French 15/2
- Mikey Lewis 17/2
- Jai Field 10/1
- Lachlan Lam 12/1
- Lachie Miller 12/1
- Jez Litten 14/1
- Jake Connor 16/1
- Jack Welsby 18/1
- Will Pryce 18/1
- George Williams 20/1
- Jackson Hastings 22/1
- Brodie Croft 25/1
- Tristan Sailor 25/1
- Jack Farrimond 25/1
- Arthur Mourgue 25/1
- Junior Nsemba 25/1
Others on request
Betfred Super League Betting Offers
Betfred is the principal sponsor of Super League, so it makes sense that they are running a couple of special offers ahead of the opening weekend.
Below is the Betfred offers that will go hand in hand with the start of Super League. These will obviously change each week, but it is a good starting point when it comes to
Super League betting sites.
Mikey Lewis & Reece Walsh To Score A Try In The WCC
Whether you like them or not, Mikey Lewis and Reece Walsh are two of the most talented players in world rugby at the minute. They will lock horns when Hull KR take on Brisbane Broncos in the World Club Challenge on Thursday evening. These players make their teams tick and Betfred are offering odds of 4/1 that they both score tries.
Mikey Lewis & Reece Walsh both to score a try - 4/1 @ Betfred
Double Delight
This Betfred offer runs throughout the whole campaign and gives rugby league betting fans a great incentive to get involved. The Double Delight offer sees punters receive double the odds when their selected player scores the opening try of the game and then goes on to score another later in the game.
The Cherry On The Top
Wigan Warriors won back-to-back Grand Finals in 2023 and 2024, before losing their title in last season's Grand Final to Hull Kingston Rovers. The Warriors have not boosted their squad as much as others, but the return of Oliver Partington from Catalans Dragons has added some grunt in the pack. Betfred are backing Wigan to return to Old Trafford for the fourth successive year and regain their Super League title. Do you agree?
Wigan Warriors to win the 2026 Grand Final - 7/4 @ Betfred
What A Load Of Bull
A lot of the focus when it comes to rugby league betting is on who will win the Super League Grand Final or the Challenge Cup, but what about the teams that will not be fighting for silverware? Bradford Bulls are back in Super League after a lengthy absence, but do they belong at the top table is the question on everyone's lips. You can get odds of 9/4 with Betfred for the Bulls to finish bottom of the Super League ladder.
Bradford Bulls to finish bottom of Super League - 9/4 @ Betfred
Where Can I Live Stream Super League Week Two & The World Club Challenge?
Sky Sports is the main broadcaster for Super League and they promise to show every single game live each week. They will broadcast a main game on their TV channels, but if a game kicks off at the same time on the same day then it will be streamed on their Sky Sports + red button channel.
All six games will be shown by Sky Sports in some capacity over the weekend, while the World Club Challenge will also be broadcasted by Sky Sports on Thursday evening. week weekend, while Castleford's game against Wigan on Sunday will also be shown live on the BBC iPlayer.
You can watch Super League on Sky Sports or Sky Sports + this weekend and stream it through the Sky Go app or with a NOW TV pass if you do not have a Sky subscription.
Bet365 will also be offering live streaming on
Super League games this season. Which ever games are not being shown on the Sky Sports main channel, then they will be streamed live at Bet365. There will be no commentary on the matches, but you will see the live pictures.
So, if you are not a subscriber to Sky Sports and you fancy watching St Helens v Leigh, Leeds against York, Wigan against Hull FC and Huddersfield v Wakefield, then sign up with Bet365 and watch the games streamed live online.
