2023 Super League season explained

Super League XXVIII
League:Super League
Pixels:200
Duration:27 rounds
No Of Teams:12
Highest Attendance:24,275
Vs
Lowest Attendance:3,348
Vs
Avg Attendance:9,256
Tv:
    Biggest Home Win:
    Biggest Away Win:
    Matches:167
    League Leaders:Wigan Warriors
    League Leaders Name:League Leaders Shield
    Season:2023 season
    Season Champs:Wigan Warriors
    6th Super League title
    23rd British title
    Season Champ Name:Champions
    Second Place:Catalans Dragons
    Mvp Link:Man of Steel AwardsMan of Steel
    Top Scorer:
    Top Try Scorer:
    Promote:London Broncos
    Promote From:Championship
    Relegate:Wakefield Trinity
    Relegate To:Championship
    Prevseason Link:Super League XXVII
    Prevseason Year:2022
    Nextseason Link:Super League XXIX
    Nextseason Year:2024

    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.

    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

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

    Legend
     Reigning Champions
     Previous season Runners-Up
     Previous season League Leaders
     Promoted
    width=150Team2022 positionStadiumCapacityCity/Town
    Castleford Tigers7thThe Mend-A-Hose Jungle12,000[3] Castleford, West Yorkshire
    Catalans Dragons4th (Eliminated in QF stage)Stade Gilbert Brutus13,000[4] Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales, France
    Huddersfield Giants3rd (Eliminated in Elim Final)John Smith's Stadium24,121[5] Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
    Hull FC9thMKM Stadium25,400[6] Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
    Hull Kingston Rovers8thSewell Group Craven Park Stadium12,225[7] Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
      Leeds Rhinos5th (Runners up)Headingley Rugby Stadium21,062[8] Leeds, West Yorkshire
      Leigh Leopards1st (promoted)Leigh Sports Village12,000[9] Leigh, Greater Manchester
    Salford Red Devils6th (Eliminated in SF)AJ Bell Stadium12,000[10] Salford, Greater Manchester
    St Helens1st (Grand Final winners)Totally Wicked Stadium18,000[11] St Helens, Merseyside
    Wakefield Trinity10thThe Be Well Support Stadium9,333[12] Wakefield, West Yorkshire
    Warrington Wolves11thHalliwell Jones Stadium15,200[13] Warrington, Cheshire
    Wigan Warriors2nd (Eliminated in SF) DW Stadium25,133[14] Wigan, Greater Manchester

    Results

    See main article: Super League XXVIII results.

    Matches decided by golden point

    See also: Golden point. 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)

    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)

    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)

    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)

    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)

    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)

    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)

    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)

    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.

    Play-offs

    See also: 2023 Super League Grand Final.

    Team bracket

    Week 1: Eliminators

    ----

    Week 2: Semi-finals

    ----

    Week 3: Grand Final

    See main article: 2023 Super League Grand Final.

    Player statistics

    Top try scorers

    Winner(s)ClubTries
    128
    227
    3 Leigh Leopards26
    4 St Helens22
    5 Wigan Warriors20
    6 Adam Swift Hull FC19
    718
    8 Bevan FrenchRowspan=2 align="left"17
    9 Jai Field16

    Top points scorers

    RankPlayerClubPoints
    1 Wigan Warriors206
    2200
    3194
    4 Catalans Dragons 192
    5 Salford Red Devils184
    6170
    7146
    8142
    9124
    10112

    End-of-season awards

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

    • Steve Prescott Man of Steel:
    • Coach of the Year:
    • Young Player of the Year:
    • Spirit of Super League Award:

    The Burrow Family

    • Top tackler: (1,027 tackles)
    • Top metre-maker:
    • Top try scorer:

      (27 tries each)
    • Top try assists:
      (30 try assists)
    • Top goal-kicker:
      (96 goals)
    • Top points scorer:
      (200 points)

    Discipline

    Red cards

    RankPlayerClub Red cards
    Rowspan=71Rowspan=71
    Ben Reynolds Leigh Leopards
    Konrad Hurrell St Helens
    Kevin Proctor Wakefield Trinity
    Hugo Salabio
    Gil Dudson

    Yellow cards

    RankPlayerClub Yellow cards
    13
    Rowspan=112Rowspan=112
    Ryan BrierleyRowspan=4 Salford Red Devils
    Deon Cross
    Marc Sneyd
    Matty LeesRowspan=2 St Helens
    Sione Mata'utia
    Warrington Wolves

    Attendances

    Club attendances

    ClubHome GamesTotalAverageHighest Lowest
    Castleford Tigers 13 7,172 10,062 5,788
    13 9,053 10,786 6,933
    13 5,237 7,737 4,070
    Hull FC 13 12,355 20,985 9,937
    Hull KR14 114,0108,770 12,225 7,250
    Leeds Rhinos 13 13,696 16,140 11,717
    Leigh Leopards 13 7,254 10,308 5,423
    13 5,383 7,854 3,836
    St Helens 14 12,782 17,088 10,304
    Wakefield Trinity 13 4,287 4,710 3,348
    13 10,890 15,026 8,981
    Wigan Warriors 13 13,497 24,275 11,451

    Top 10 attendances

    Rank Home team Away team Stadium Attendance
    1 36,943
    2 26,326
    3 24,275
    4 Hull KR 20,985
    5 17,088
    6 Hull FC 16,140
    7 15,383
    8 Leigh Leopards15,377
    9 15,166
    10 Leeds15,148

    Broadcasting

    RoundMatchDate & TimeBroadcast method
    Rowspan=31Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos16 February 2023, 20:00Rowspan=2Sky Sports
    Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils17 February 2023, 20:00
    Hull KR v Wigan Warriors18 February 2023, 13:00Channel 4
    Rowspan=32Salford Red Devils v Hull KR23 February 2023, 20:00Rowspan=2Sky Sports
    Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC24 February 2023, 20:00
    Castleford Tigers v St Helens26 February 2023, 13:00Channel 4
    Rowspan=23Warrington Wolves v Salford Red Devils2 March 2023, 19:45Rowspan=8Sky Sports
    St Helens v Leeds Rhinos3 March 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=24Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons9 March 2023, 20:00
    Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers10 March 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=25Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos16 March 2023, 20:00
    St Helens v Hull FC17 March 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=36Huddersfield Giants v St Helens23 March 2023, 20:00
    Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils24 March 2023, 20:00
    Leeds Rhinos v Catalans Dragons25 March 2023, 13:00Channel 4
    Rowspan=37Leigh Leopards v Wigan Warriors30 March 2023, 20:00Rowspan=2Sky Sports
    Hull KR v Leeds Rhinos31 March 2023, 20:00
    Warrington Wolves v Hull FC1 April 2023, 13:00Channel 4
    Rowspan=68 (Rivals Round)Castleford Tigers v Wakefield Trinity6 April 2023, 20:00Rowspan=14Sky Sports
    Hull FC v Hull KR7 April 2023, 12:30
    Wigan Warriors v St Helens7 April 2023, 15:00
    Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils8 April 2023, 14:30
    Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves8 April 2023, 16:00
    Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants9 April 2023, 18:00
    Rowspan=29Salford Red Devils v Castleford Tigers13 April 2023, 20:00
    Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors14 April 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=210St Helens v Warrington Wolves20 April 2023, 20:00
    Castleford Tigers v Hull KR21 April 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=211Hull FC v Wigan Warriors4 May 2023, 20:00
    Catalans Dragons v St Helens5 May 2023, 19:45
    Rowspan=312Wakefield Trinity v Hull FC11 May 2023, 20:00
    Wigan Warriors v Leeds Rhinos12 May 2023, 20:00
    St Helens v Salford Red Devils13 May 2023, 13:00Channel 4
    Rowspan=213Hull KR v Wigan Warriors25 May 2023, 20:00Rowspan=20Sky Sports
    Leeds Rhinos v St Helens26 May 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=614 (Magic Weekend)Salford Red Devils v Hull KR3 June 2023, 13:30
    Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons3 June 2023, 15:45
    Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers3 June 2023, 18:00
    Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards4 June 2023, 12:00
    St Helens v Huddersfield Giants4 June 2023, 14:15
    Hull FC v Warrington Wolves4 June 2023, 16:30
    Rowspan=215St Helens v Wigan Warriors9 June 2023, 20:00
    Warrington Wolves v Huddersfield Giants10 June 2023, 17:00
    Rowspan=216Hull FC v St Helens22 June 2023, 20:00
    Leeds Rhinos v Huddersfield Giants23 June 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=217Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos29 June 2023, 20:00
    Leigh Leopards v Hull KR30 June 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=218Warrington Wolves v St Helens7 July 2023, 20:00
    Hull KR v Hull FC9 July 2023, 12:00
    Rowspan=219St Helens v Catalans Dragons13 July 2023, 20:00
    Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves14 July 2023, 20:00
    Rowspan=320Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC27 July 2023, 20:00
    St Helens v Leeds Rhinos28 July 2023, 20:00
    Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards29 July 2023, 13:00Channel 4
    Rowspan=221Warrington Wolves v Catalans Dragons4 August 2023, 20:00Sky Sports
    6 August 2023, 15:00
    Rowspan=322Wakefield Trinity v Castleford Tigers18 August 2023, 20:00
    Leigh Leopards v Catalans Dragons19 August 2023, 15:00
    Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves20 August 2023, 15:00OurLeague
    23Hull KR v Leigh Leopards25 August 2023, 20:00Rowspan=12Sky Sports
    Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors26 August 2023, 18:00
    Rowspan=224Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils1 September 2023, 20:00
    Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers2 September 2023, 15:00
    Rowspan=325St Helens v Leigh Leopards8 September 2023, 20:00
    Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors9 September 2023, 14:45
    Salford Red Devils v Warrington Wolves10 September 2023, 12:45
    Rowspan=326Warrington Wolves v St Helens15 September 2023, 20:00
    Catalans Dragons v Leeds Rhinos16 September 2023, 17:00
    Hull KR v Salford Red Devils16 September 2023, 19:30
    27Leigh Leopards v Wigan Warriors22 September 2023, 20:00
    Elim 1Hull KR v Leigh Leopards29 September 2023, 20:00
    Elim 2St Helens v Warrington Wolves30 September 2023, 12:45Sky Sports & Channel 4
    Semi Final 1Catalans Dragons v St Helens6 October 2023, 20:00Sky Sports
    Semi Final 2Wigan Warriors v Hull KR7 October 2023, 12:45Sky Sports & Channel 4
    Grand FinalWigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons14 October 2023, 18:00Sky Sports

    Notes and References

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