2023 Super League season

Super League XXVIII, known as the 2023 Betfred Super League for sponsorship reasons, was the 28th season of the Super League and 129th season of rugby league in Great Britain.

Super League XXVIII
LeagueSuper League
Duration27 rounds
Teams12
Matches played167
Points scored6,464
Highest attendance24,275
Wigan Warriors Vs St Helens
(7 April)
Lowest attendance3,348
Wakefield Trinity Vs Catalans Dragons
(8 September)
Average attendance9,256
Attendance1,545,894
Broadcast partners
2023 season
ChampionsWigan Warriors
6th Super League title
23rd British title
League Leaders ShieldWigan Warriors
Runners-upCatalans Dragons
Biggest home winCatalans Dragons 61–0 Leeds Rhinos
(16 September)
Biggest away winLeeds Rhinos 0–50 Wigan Warriors
(9 September)
Man of SteelAustralia Bevan French
Top point-scorer(s)England Harry Smith
(218)
Top try-scorer(s)Lebanon Abbas Miski
(28)
Promotion and relegation
Promoted from ChampionshipLondon Broncos
Relegated to ChampionshipWakefield Trinity

The season began on 16 February 2023, and ended with the Grand Final on 14 October 2023.[1]

St Helens were the reigning champions after winning their 4th successive title, beating Leeds Rhinos in the 2022 Grand Final.[2] They were eliminated in the semi final, losing 6–12 to Catalans Dragons.

Leigh Leopards were immediately promoted back to Super League, after they beat Batley Bulldogs 44–12 in the 2022 Championship Grand Final. Wakefield Trinity were relegated from Super League after 24 years.

Wigan Warriors defeated Catalans, 10–2 in the Grand Final, to win their 6th super league title, and 23rd overall.

Teams

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The league comprises 12 teams. The regular season comprises 27 rounds.

Locations of the 2023 Super League teams in Northern England
Locations of Super League XXVIII teams in France
Legend
  Reigning Champions
  Previous season Runners-Up
  Previous season League Leaders
  Promoted
Team 2022 position Stadium Capacity City/Town
  Castleford Tigers 7th The Mend-A-Hose Jungle 12,000[3] Castleford, West Yorkshire
  Catalans Dragons 4th (Eliminated in QF stage) Stade Gilbert Brutus 13,000[4] Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales, France
  Huddersfield Giants 3rd (Eliminated in Elim Final) John Smith's Stadium 24,121[5] Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
  Hull FC 9th MKM Stadium 25,400[6] Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
  Hull Kingston Rovers 8th Sewell Group Craven Park Stadium 12,225[7] Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
    Leeds Rhinos 5th (Runners up) Headingley Rugby Stadium 21,062[8] Leeds, West Yorkshire
    Leigh Leopards 1st (promoted) Leigh Sports Village 12,000[9] Leigh, Greater Manchester
  Salford Red Devils 6th (Eliminated in SF) AJ Bell Stadium 12,000[10] Salford, Greater Manchester
  St Helens 1st (Grand Final winners) Totally Wicked Stadium 18,000[11] St Helens, Merseyside
  Wakefield Trinity 10th The Be Well Support Stadium 9,333[12] Wakefield, West Yorkshire
  Warrington Wolves 11th Halliwell Jones Stadium 15,200[13] Warrington, Cheshire
  Wigan Warriors 2nd (Eliminated in SF) DW Stadium 25,133[14] Wigan, Greater Manchester

Results

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Matches decided by golden point

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If a match ends in a draw after 80 minutes, then a further 10 minutes of golden point extra time is played, to determine a winner (five minutes each way). The first team to score either a try, penalty goal or drop goal during this period, will win the match. However, if there are no further scores during the additional 10 minutes period, then the match will end in a draw.

Game 1 (Salford Red Devils v Wakefield Trinity)

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The round 5 game between Salford Red Devils and Wakefield Trinity on 19 March 2023, finished 13–all after 80 minutes. The game then went to extra time, which saw numerous drop goal attempts by both teams. Salford won the match 14–13 with a drop goal from Marc Sneyd.

Game 2 (Hull Kingston Rovers v Wigan Warriors)

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The round 13 game between Hull Kingston Rovers & Wigan Warriors on 25 May 2023, finished 22–all after 80 minutes, with Abbas Miski scoring a last gasp try on the final hooter, to level the match. The game then went to extra time. The first chance came to Mikey Lewis, as he kicked a drop goal, but his effort hit the post. With less than 20 seconds of the first 5 minutes remaining, Liam Farrell scored the match winning try, to win the game 26–22.

Game 3 (Leeds Rhinos v St Helens)

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The round 13 game between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens on 26 May 2023, finished 12-all after 80 minutes. The match then went to golden point, with numerous drop goal attempts from both sides. With 26 seconds of the match remaining, Lewis Dodd kicked a drop goal for Saints, to win the match 13–12.

Game 4 (Wakefield Trinity v Wigan Warriors)

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The round 18 game between Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors on 7 July 2023, finished 26–all after 80 minutes. Wigan almost won the game 26–24, but were penalised for an off the ball tackle with seconds of the match remaining. Will Dagger kicked a penalty goal on the hooter, to send the game to golden point. The only chance of the game went to Wakefield, with Dagger kicking a drop goal to win the match for Wakefield, 27–26.

Game 5 (Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR)

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The round 19 game between Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR on 14 July 2023, finished 18–all after 80 minutes. The first chance of the game came for Hull KR, as Brad Schneider attempted a drop goal attempt, but his effort fell just short. but as Leeds got the ball back, they knocked on from the kick off, and this time, debutant Schneider, kicked the winning DG, to condemn Leeds to their 2nd golden point defeat of the season at Headingley.

Game 6 (Wigan Warriors v Hull FC)

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The Round 22 game between Wigan Warriors and Hull FC on 18 August 2023, finished 12–all after 80 minutes, as Jake Wardle scored a last minute try for Wigan, to send the game to extra time. The first attempt at a drop goal, came from Wigan's Harry Smith, but his effort was wide. Hull then had a chance of their own, but Sam Powell charged the kick down, and the first period ended with no scores. With less than 2 minutes of the game remaining, Harry Smith then kicked a drop goal from 45 meters out, to win the game for Wigan 13–12.

Game 7 (Salford Red Devils v Warrington Wolves)

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The Round 25 game between Salford Red Devils and Warrington Wolves on 10 September 2023, finished 20–all after 80 minutes, as Marc Sneyd kicked a late penalty goal for Salford, to send the game to extra time. The only attempt at a drop goal came from Marc Sneyd, but his effort hit the post and bounced back into play. With less than 2 minutes of the first period remaining, Joe Burgess made a break for the line, before passing the ball to Sam Stone to score the winning try.

Game 8 (Leigh Leopards v Wakefield Trinity)

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The Round 26 game between Leigh Leopards and Wakefield Trinity on 15 September 2023, finished 19–all after 80 minutes, as Luke Gale kicked a drop goal for Wakefield with 15 seconds of the game remaining, to send the game to extra time. Both sides attempted drop goals, but neither team could score any points during the first 5 minutes. In the 9th minute, Gareth O'Brien kicked the winning drop goal for Leigh, to win the match 20-19, and confirm Wakefield's relegation.

Table

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Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD Pts Qualification
1   Wigan Warriors (L, C) 27 20 0 7 722 360 +362 40 Qualification to Semi-finals
2   Catalans Dragons 27 20 0 7 722 420 +302 40
3   St. Helens 27 20 0 7 613 366 +247 40 Qualification to Eliminators
4   Hull KR 27 16 0 11 589 498 +91 32
5   Leigh Leopards 27 16 0 11 585 508 +77 32
6   Warrington Wolves 27 14 0 13 597 512 +85 28
7   Salford Red Devils 27 13 0 14 494 512 −18 26
8   Leeds Rhinos 27 12 0 15 535 534 +1 24
9   Huddersfield Giants 27 11 0 16 473 552 −79 22
10   Hull FC 27 10 0 17 476 654 −178 20
11   Castleford Tigers 27 6 0 21 323 774 −451 12
12   Wakefield Trinity (R) 27 4 0 23 303 742 −439 8 Relegation to Championship
Source: Super League
(C) Champions; (L) League Leaders' Shield Winners; (R) Relegated

Play-offs

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Team bracket

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Eliminators Semi-finals Grand Final
2   Catalans 12
4   Hull KR 20 3   St Helens 6
5   Leigh 6 1   Wigan 10
2   Catalans 2
1   Wigan 42
3   St Helens 16 4   Hull KR 12
6   Warrington 8


Week 1: Eliminators

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29 September 2023
20:00 BST (UTC+01)
  Hull KR20–6  Leigh Leopards
Try: Walker 33'
Hall 38'
Luckley 42'
Con: Schneider
  34', 39'
Pen: Schneider
  22', 76'
ReportTry: Charnley 57'
Con: Reynolds   8'
Sewell Group Craven Park
Referee: Jack Smith

30 September 2023
12:45 BST (UTC+01)
  St Helens16–8  Warrington Wolves
Try: Dodd 25'
Walmsley   45'
Makinson 57'
Con: Percival
  26', 58'
Pen: Percival
  37', 73'
ReportTry: Wrench 43'
Bullock   60'
Con: Ratchford   44'
Pen: Ratchford   53'
Totally Wicked Stadium
Attendance: 13,801
Referee: Ben Thaler

Week 2: Semi-finals

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6 October 2023
20:00 BST (UTC+01)
  Catalans Dragons12–6  St Helens
Try: Tomkins 79'
Con: Keighran   80'
Pen: Keighran
  29', 65', 73'
ReportTry: Hopoate 50'
Con: Percival   51'
Lees   72'
Stade Gilbert Brutus
Attendance: 11,530
Referee: Chris Kendall

7 October 2023
12:45 BST (UTC+01)
  Wigan Warriors42–12  Hull KR
Try: Marshall 2', 11', 43'
Field 5',54'
King 47'
Miski 56'
Con: Smith   3', 6', 12', 44', 48', 55', 57'
Try: Minchella 24'
Litten 77'
Con: Schneider
  25', 78'
DW Stadium
Attendance: 15,162
Referee: Liam Moore

Week 3: Grand Final

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14 October 2023
18:00 BST (UTC+01)
  Wigan Warriors10–2  Catalans Dragons
Try: Marshall   53'
Con: Smith (1/1) 54'
Pen: Smith (2/2)
25', 64'
ReportTry: Keighran   19'
Davies   44'
Pen: Keighran 36'
Old Trafford
Attendance: 58,137
Referee: Liam Moore

Player statistics

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Top goal scorers

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As of 11 October 2023
Player Club Goals Missed Goals Drop Goals Goal Percentage %
  Harry Smith   Wigan Warriors 94 52 2 62%

Top points scorers

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As of 11 October 2023
Rank Player Club Points
1   Harry Smith   Wigan Warriors 206
2   Stefan Ratchford   Warrington Wolves 200
3   Rhyse Martin   Leeds Rhinos 194
4   Adam Keighran   Catalans Dragons 192
5   Marc Sneyd   Salford Red Devils 184
6   Ben Reynolds   Leigh Leopards 170
7   Tommy Makinson   St Helens 146
8   Mark Percival 142
9   Jake Clifford   Hull FC 124
10   Abbas Miski   Wigan Warriors 112

End-of-season awards

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The end of season awards took place on Tuesday 10 October. The winners were:[15]


The Burrow Family

Discipline

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Attendances

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Broadcasting

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Round Match Date & Time Broadcast method
1 Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos 16 February 2023, 20:00 Sky Sports
Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils 17 February 2023, 20:00
Hull KR v Wigan Warriors 18 February 2023, 13:00 Channel 4
2 Salford Red Devils v Hull KR 23 February 2023, 20:00 Sky Sports
Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC 24 February 2023, 20:00
Castleford Tigers v St Helens 26 February 2023, 13:00 Channel 4
3 Warrington Wolves v Salford Red Devils 2 March 2023, 19:45 Sky Sports
St Helens v Leeds Rhinos 3 March 2023, 20:00
4 Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons 9 March 2023, 20:00
Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers 10 March 2023, 20:00
5 Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos 16 March 2023, 20:00
St Helens v Hull FC 17 March 2023, 20:00
6 Huddersfield Giants v St Helens 23 March 2023, 20:00
Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils 24 March 2023, 20:00
Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons 25 March 2023, 13:00 Channel 4
7 Leigh Leopards v Wigan Warriors 30 March 2023, 20:00 Sky Sports
Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos 31 March 2023, 20:00
Warrington Wolves v Hull FC 1 April 2023, 13:00 Channel 4
8 (Rivals Round) Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity 6 April 2023, 20:00 Sky Sports
Hull FC v Hull KR 7 April 2023, 12:30
Wigan Warriors v St Helens 7 April 2023, 15:00
Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils 8 April 2023, 14:30
Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves 8 April 2023, 16:00
Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants 9 April 2023, 18:00
9 Salford Red Devils v Castleford Tigers 13 April 2023, 20:00
Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors 14 April 2023, 20:00
10 St Helens v Warrington Wolves 20 April 2023, 20:00
Castleford Tigers v Hull KR 21 April 2023, 20:00
11 Hull FC v Wigan Warriors 4 May 2023, 20:00
Catalans Dragons v St Helens 5 May 2023, 19:45
12 Wakefield Trinity v Hull FC 11 May 2023, 20:00
Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos 12 May 2023, 20:00
St Helens v Salford Red Devils 13 May 2023, 13:00 Channel 4
13 Hull KR v Wigan Warriors 25 May 2023, 20:00 Sky Sports
Leeds Rhinos v St Helens 26 May 2023, 20:00
14 (Magic Weekend) Salford Red Devils v Hull KR 3 June 2023, 13:30
Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons 3 June 2023, 15:45
Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers 3 June 2023, 18:00
Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards 4 June 2023, 12:00
St Helens v Huddersfield Giants 4 June 2023, 14:15
Hull FC v Warrington Wolves 4 June 2023, 16:30
15 St Helens v Wigan Warriors 9 June 2023, 20:00
Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants 10 June 2023, 17:00
16 Hull FC v St Helens 22 June 2023, 20:00
Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants 23 June 2023, 20:00
17 Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos 29 June 2023, 20:00
Leigh Leopards v Hull KR 30 June 2023, 20:00
18 Warrington Wolves v St Helens 7 July 2023, 20:00
Hull KR v Hull FC 9 July 2023, 12:00
19 St Helens v Catalans Dragons 13 July 2023, 20:00
Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves 14 July 2023, 20:00
20 Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC 27 July 2023, 20:00
St Helens v Leeds Rhinos 28 July 2023, 20:00
Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards 29 July 2023, 13:00 Channel 4
21 Warrington Wolves v Catalans Dragons 4 August 2023, 20:00 Sky Sports
Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Leopards 6 August 2023, 15:00
22 Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers 18 August 2023, 20:00
Leigh Leopards v Catalans Dragons 19 August 2023, 15:00
Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves 20 August 2023, 15:00 OurLeague
23 Hull KR v Leigh Leopards 25 August 2023, 20:00 Sky Sports
Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors 26 August 2023, 18:00
24 Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils 1 September 2023, 20:00
Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers 2 September 2023, 15:00
25 St Helens v Leigh Leopards 8 September 2023, 20:00
Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors 9 September 2023, 14:45
Salford Red Devils v Warrington Wolves 10 September 2023, 12:45
26 Warrington Wolves v St Helens 15 September 2023, 20:00
Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos 16 September 2023, 17:00
Hull KR v Salford Red Devils 16 September 2023, 19:30
27 Leigh Leopards v Wigan Warriors 22 September 2023, 20:00
Elim 1 Hull KR v Leigh Leopards 29 September 2023, 20:00
Elim 2 St Helens v Warrington Wolves 30 September 2023, 12:45 Sky Sports & Channel 4
Semi Final 1 Catalans Dragons v St Helens 6 October 2023, 20:00 Sky Sports
Semi Final 2 Wigan Warriors v Hull KR 7 October 2023, 12:45 Sky Sports & Channel 4
Grand Final Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons 14 October 2023, 18:00 Sky Sports

References

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  1. ^ "Super League start date confirmed". superleague.co.uk. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Saints create history by completing "four-peat"". rugby-league.com. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  3. ^ "The Jungle (Wheldon Road)". castlefordtigers.com.
  4. ^ "Stade Gilbert Brutus". catalan dragons.com.
  5. ^ "Kirklees Stadium". johnsmithsstadium.com.
  6. ^ "KCOM Stadium". kcomstadium.com/.
  7. ^ "Craven Park, Hull". hullkr.co.uk.
  8. ^ "Headingley Rugby Stadium". therhinos.co.uk. 14 December 2016.
  9. ^ "Home". Leigh Sports Village. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  10. ^ "AJ Bell Stadium". ajbellstadium.co.uk/.
  11. ^ "Totally Wicked Stadium". saintsrlfc.com.
  12. ^ "Belle Vue (Wakefield)". wakefieldtrinity.com.
  13. ^ "Halliwell Jones Stadium". halliwelljonesstadium.co.uk/.
  14. ^ "DW Stadium". dwstadium.com.
  15. ^ "Bevan French named Man of Steel". superleague.co.uk. 10 October 2023.