World champions 'demolished' as NRL discard Maika Sivo wreaks havoc in 52-point Las Vegas thrashing

LAS VEGAS: Hull KR won four trophies in the space of 12 months, culminating with a shock World Club Challenge triumph against the Broncos.

But with the bright lights of Sin City cast upon them, the Super League champions were blown off the park by Leeds in a shock 58-6 upset on Sunday (AEDT).

Cult hero and former Eels winger Maika Sivo set the crowd at Allegiant Stadium alight, crossing for a first-half double before completing his hat-trick in the second.

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Sivo put the icing on the cake, scoring his fourth try with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Every time the Fijian flyer touched the ball, the boisterous section of Rhinos fans went up with chants of "Sivo, Sivo, Sivo" for the hulking winger.

Sivo - who scored 106 tries in 116 games for Parramatta before being granted an early release at the end of 2024 - missed last season due to an ACL injury, but produced a performance that reminded the rugby league world just how damaging he can be.

"He is a beast when he is on song and he is a man for the big occasion ... he's powerful, strong and a great finisher," Michael Ennis said on Fox League.

Leeds coach Brad Arthur, who was in charge of Sivo during their time together at the Eels for many years, heaped praise on the star's resilience.

"I'm so happy for him," Arthur told Fox League.

"It was a tough year for him last year. He moved his family to the other side of the world then he had that injury ... but he's bagged six tries in two games now, he's been great."

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The 32-year-old wasn't the only NRL discard who starred in the first game in Vegas.

Brodie Croft, the former Broncos and Storm halfback who was once seen as the heir to Cooper Cronk's position, was among the best players on the field.

The playmaker scored two tries for Leeds and had his fingerprints over a lot of his side's attack in the one-sided thrashing.

"Leeds Rhinos have demolished them," English great Brian Carney said.

Cooper Jenkins brought up the 50-point mark with three minutes remaining as the Leeds supporters started belting out "Mr Brightside" as it blared over the speakers, before scoring his second try with what ended up being the final play of the game.

Joe Burgess scored the lone try for Hull KR, who have gone from the highest of highs after being dubbed world champions to suffering a horror defeat.