Four-try Sivo stars as Leeds thrash Hull KR in Vegas

Michael Short

BBC Sport Senior Journalist
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Betfred Super League – Las Vegas

Hull KR (0) 6

Tries: Burgess

Goals: Martin

Leeds Rhinos (28) 58

Tries: Sivo 4, Croft 2, Palasia, Hall, Jenkins 2

Maika Sivo’s stunning four-try display helped Leeds Rhinos thrash Hull KR 58-6 in Las Vegas.

The Fijian winger crossed twice and created a third try as the rampant Rhinos led 28-0 at half-time.

And Sivo scored twice more in the second half as Leeds dismantled the defending Super League champions.

Hull KR beat Brisbane Broncos to win the World Club Challenge just 10 days ago but have now lost their opening two Super League games of the season.

Defeat by newly promoted York was a shock – and the way they were brushed aside at Allegiant Stadium, the home of NFL side Las Vegas Raiders, left head coach Willie Peters warning his side could be facing “a long season”.

Sivo joined the Rhinos before the 2025 season but missed the whole campaign after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.

And following two tries on debut it took him eight minutes to force his way over for the first try of the game after Harry Newman collected Brodie Croft’s high kick and the ball was worked out to the left flank.

Hull KR nowhere near good enough – Peters

After tries from Croft and Keenan Palasia, Sivo claimed the ball from under his own posts and ran 70 metres for an attack which ended with Ryan Hall scoring.

A Hull KR try was disallowed for an earlier obstruction before the end of the first half, but Leeds continued to dominate in the second period – with Croft adding a sixth try before Sivo completed his hat-trick.

His fourth try came after a Joe Burgess consolation for the Robins 15 minutes from time – then a late Cooper Jenkins double sealed a resounding victory for Leeds.

“The people I feel sorry for are the fans who paid hard-earned money to come here today and watch that,” Peters said.

“To spend or save money to come and watch their team play and we deliver a performance like that, it’s just nowhere near good enough.

“We need to all look at ourselves – myself at the top of that – and find out why we got that performance.

“We need to make sure that we action more than words and do something about it, because if that’s the template of what we’re going to do this season, it’s going to be a long season.”

A delighted Leeds coach Brad Arthur said his side had “had a ball” and praised his players’ “real hunger”.

“We wanted to make sure that we did ourselves proud and the fans and did the competition justice,” he added.

“We came here to make a statement and we did it tonight,” Sivo told Sky Sports.

Hull KR: Broadbent; Davies, Hiku, Gildart, Burgess; Lewis, May; Sue, Litten, Amone, Hadley, Batchelor, Minchella.

Replacements: Luckley, Whitbread, Martin, Lawton.

Leeds Rhinos: Miller; Sivo, Newman, Handley, Hall; Croft, Connor; Jenkins, Levi, Palasia, Watkins, McDonnell, C. Smith.

Replacements: O’Connor, Holroyd, Hankinson, Littlewood.

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‘You can’t avoid the political climate’ – Fishlock on EuroGames ‘honour’

Emma Smith

BBC Sport journalist

Wales legend Jess Fishlock says she felt compelled to become an ambassador for the 2027 EuroGames in Cardiff because of the “political climate” for LGBTQ+ people.

Fishlock, 39, is Wales’ record appearance-maker and goalscorer, earning 166 senior caps and hitting 48 goals before retiring from international football last October.

She was asked at last year’s Cardiff Pride whether she would take an ambassadorial role for the EuroGames as her hometown becomes the first in the UK to host Europe’s biggest annual LGBTQ+ multi-sports event.

It is expected up to 10,000 participants will compete in venues across the city including Llanrumney – the suburb of Cardiff where Fishlock grew up.

The personal connection, as a Welsh sportsperson and an out gay woman, meant she had no hesitation in accepting.

“It’s something that is important to me, that I resonate with deeply. I see it as an honour, and it is important for visibility,” she told BBC Sport.

The EuroGames were first staged in 1992, and are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, skill level or age.

Organisers say the event was set up in response to discrimination and to promote integration in sport.

There are currently no senior men’s footballers who are out as gay in British professional leagues.

Recent reports have indicated growing homophobia in British schools and wider society.

It is widely recognised that LGBT people, including Fishlock, are more openly accepted in women’s football – and she wants to use her status to promote tolerance.

“I’ve been out for many years now, and with deciding to be out while I play, I choose to use my platform within our community,” she said.

“It feels right to be part of this. It feels relevant to who I am as a human being, and to create awareness of these athletes and their lives. And enjoyment is key to this as well – I want to be on the side which is celebrating these athletes.”

Fishlock has featured in the Women’s Super League for Bristol and Reading, and now plays for Seattle Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – the top tier of women’s football in the United States.

She is not intending to enter the football event at the EuroGames – but is still keen to play in a different sport.

Fishlock and Tziarra KingGetty Images

The EuroGames were founded in the early 1990s following the second global Gay Games in San Francisco in 1986, as a more accessible event for LGBTQ+ Europeans.

Manchester was due to hold the 1999 edition but it was cancelled amid financial issues – and Birmingham and London have previously made bids to host.

“What’s not fun about these events?” said Fishlock. “They can be so open and caring.

“Sport is such a gateway to amazing life experiences. You don’t have to be a professional to enjoy that.”

The EuroGames are independently governed by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation and follows its own rules regarding participation, meaning transgender people can compete in the category aligned with their lived gender.

Numerous national and international sports governing bodies have banned transgender women from competing in female categories amid concerns over fairness and safety.

Some acted after a Supreme Court ruling last year that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

Fishlock hopes the EuroGames can help combat a “stigma” around transgender people in sport.

“That is a big part of the EuroGames,” she said. “It is hard to really address the situation without getting into politics, which is difficult for a lot of people.

“The stigma makes it difficult, so hopefully we can take away some of the fear that creates hate.

“It is a polarising topic, but hopefully by bringing it into Wales we can spread visibility and education.”

A EuroGames spokesperson told BBC Sport conversations were ongoing with the Welsh government on the topic, while saying they fully support trans athletes competing in events aligned with their gender identity.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines

Related topics

  • Wales Women’s Football Team
  • Football
  • Women’s Football

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Fishlock ambassadorial role ‘important for visibility’

Emma Smith

BBC Sport journalist

Wales legend Jess Fishlock says she felt compelled to become an ambassador for the 2027 EuroGames in Cardiff because of the “political climate” for LGBTQ+ people.

Fishlock, 39, is Wales’ record appearance-maker and goalscorer, earning 166 senior caps and hitting 48 goals before retiring from international football last October.

She was asked at last year’s Cardiff Pride whether she would take an ambassadorial role for the EuroGames as her hometown becomes the first in the UK to host Europe’s biggest annual LGBTQ+ multi-sports event.

It is expected up to 10,000 participants will compete in venues across the city including Llanrumney – the suburb of Cardiff where Fishlock grew up.

The personal connection, as a Welsh sportsperson and an out gay woman, meant she had no hesitation in accepting.

“It’s something that is important to me, that I resonate with deeply. I see it as an honour, and it is important for visibility,” she told BBC Sport.

The EuroGames were first staged in 1992, and are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, skill level or age.

Organisers say the event was set up in response to discrimination and to promote integration in sport.

There are currently no senior men’s footballers who are out as gay in British professional leagues.

Recent reports have indicated growing homophobia in British schools and wider society.

It is widely recognised that LGBT people, including Fishlock, are more openly accepted in women’s football – and she wants to use her status to promote tolerance.

“I’ve been out for many years now, and with deciding to be out while I play, I choose to use my platform within our community,” she said.

“It feels right to be part of this. It feels relevant to who I am as a human being, and to create awareness of these athletes and their lives. And enjoyment is key to this as well – I want to be on the side which is celebrating these athletes.”

Fishlock has featured in the Women’s Super League for Bristol and Reading, and now plays for Seattle Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – the top tier of women’s football in the United States.

She is not intending to enter the football event at the EuroGames – but is still keen to play in a different sport.

Fishlock and Tziarra KingGetty Images

The EuroGames were founded in the early 1990s following the second global Gay Games in San Francisco in 1986, as a more accessible event for LGBTQ+ Europeans.

Manchester was due to hold the 1999 edition but it was cancelled amid financial issues – and Birmingham and London have previously made bids to host.

“What’s not fun about these events?” said Fishlock. “They can be so open and caring.

“Sport is such a gateway to amazing life experiences. You don’t have to be a professional to enjoy that.”

The EuroGames are independently governed by the European Gay and Lesbian Sport Federation and follows its own rules regarding participation, meaning transgender people can compete in the category aligned with their lived gender.

Numerous national and international sports governing bodies have banned transgender women from competing in female categories amid concerns over fairness and safety.

Some acted after a Supreme Court ruling last year that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

Fishlock hopes the EuroGames can help combat a “stigma” around transgender people in sport.

“That is a big part of the EuroGames,” she said. “It is hard to really address the situation without getting into politics, which is difficult for a lot of people.

“The stigma makes it difficult, so hopefully we can take away some of the fear that creates hate.

“It is a polarising topic, but hopefully by bringing it into Wales we can spread visibility and education.”

A EuroGames spokesperson told BBC Sport conversations were ongoing with the Welsh government on the topic, while saying they fully support trans athletes competing in events aligned with their gender identity.

Ellen White, Jen Beattie and Ben Haines

Related topics

  • Wales Women’s Football Team
  • Football
  • Women’s Football

More on this story

Navarrete stops Nunez to unify super-featherweight titles

Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete stopped compatriot Eduardo Nunez in a dominant display to unify the IBF and WBO super-featherweight titles.

After outclassing Nunez for much of the contest, Navarrete, 31, added the IBF title to his WBO crown when the ringside doctor stopped the action before the 11th round.

The victory at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona was the 40th of Navarrete’s 43-fight career, while Nunez’s 19-bout win streak came to an end.

“It’s difficult to see your opponent hurting in there, but it’s also really difficult to not continue and go on to win the fight,” said Navarrete.

“You never know what might happen in those last rounds. He could catch you with a shot and it could be over. So I needed to continue doing my work.”

Navarrete controlled the action in the early rounds before landing some damaging shots in round nine, forcing the doctor to take a look at Nunez for the first time.

Following another dominant display from three-weight world champion Navarette in round 10, Nunez was deemed unable to continue after sporting a bloodied face and a severely swollen right eye.

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Thousands in Iran mourn Khamenei’s killing

Thousands of mourners have gathered in the centre of Iran’s capital after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the opening salvo of a massive attack by the United States and Israel.

The mourners, who gathered on Sunday in Enghelab (Revolution) Square, dressed mostly in black and some crying, were waving Iranian flags and holding photos of Khamenei, as the US-Israeli attack continued into a second day.

Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, was killed as the two powers sought to overthrow the Iranian government.

Iranian state television confirmed Khamenei’s death early on Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump announced the killing of the 86-year-old cleric he described as “one of the most evil people in history”.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) pledged “severe, decisive” punishment for Khamenei’s “murderers” in a statement.

The IRGC added that it would launch the “most ferocious” operation in history against Israel and US bases, which are located in Gulf countries that are already counting the cost of an unprecedented series of deadly Iranian strikes.

Trump threatened that any retaliation would lead to Iran being hit with a force that has “never been seen before”.

Arsenal set to celebrate St Totteringham’s Day earlier than ever

Alex Howell

Arsenal reporter
  • 108 Comments
Chris Collinson

BBC Sport statistician

St Totteringham’s Day might not be that well known nationally – but for Arsenal fans it is an opportunity for more north London bragging rights.

It is the name given to the day on which it becomes mathematically impossible for Tottenham Hotspur to finish above Arsenal in the Premier League.

And, look away Spurs fans, because that day looks set to arrive earlier than ever.

If relegation-threatened Tottenham fail to win at Fulham on Sunday (14:00 GMT), Gunners fans can celebrate St Totteringham’s Day once more. Whatever the Spurs result, Arsenal would guarantee it with a win against Chelsea later in the day (16:30).

A play on the words ‘Tottenham’ and ‘tottering’, the phrase was introduced by Arsenal fans website ‘Arseweb’ in the early 2000s but gained more national prominence about 2010.

Gunners fans are still celebrating their emphatic win in the north London derby a week ago and will revel in the idea of some early St Totteringham’s Day celebrations – the previous earliest was on 9 March in 2008.

The moment – if it happens – just highlights the current gap between the bitter rivals.

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The Gunners finished second last season for the third successive campaign, 36 points ahead of 17th-placed Spurs. St Totteringham’s Day was confirmed on 3 April.

With 10 matches remaining for Arsenal and 11 for Tottenham, the gap between the two is already at 32 points. Only in five previous league seasons has it been bigger by the end of a campaign.

The biggest gap between the two sides was 45 points in the 2003-04 Invincibles season when Arsenal won the league with 90 points.

The run of six successive seasons in which Tottenham finished above Arsenal must seem a lifetime ago to both sets of fans. It actually only came to an end in 2022.

Since then, Spurs have sacked three permanent managers, while Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta – in charge for the past six years – has developed his side into consistent title contenders.

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Based on the current points-per-game rate of both sides, Arsenal are projected to finish on 83 and Spurs 41, which would be a 42-point gap, making it the second-biggest in Premier League history after the Invincibles season.

If Arsenal were to finish on 83 points, it would be six fewer than the 89 they amassed when finishing second in 2023-24 to Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola’s current side are not as dominant as they were during that campaign.

While Spurs’ current points-per-game rate means they should better their 38 of last season, this is still on course to be their second-worst in the Premier League. Their worst before last season was 44 points in 1997-98.

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