Brad Arthur explains decision to delay Leeds Rhinos shirt numbers

Leeds Rhinos’ squad have been given a chance to earn their 2025 shirt number in the traditional Boxing Day derby against Wakefield Trinity.

Head coach Brad Arthur has delayed revealing his roster, with the traditional Christmas fixture acting as a decider for who will don which number in 2025.

Players will be informed following the game, with a public announcement made on January 1st.

Previously, Leeds Rhinos have confirmed their squad numbers in November, but Arthur – who took charge in July – stressed: “We have got a fair idea of the squad numbers at present, but I just want every player to feel like they’ve got the opportunity to earn one of the one-13 or one-17 jerseys.

“I also want them to understand the importance of every game matters and not take anything for granted.

“I have got a fair idea of what it should look like, but that’s off the back of training. They have got to get out there and play.

“Whatever jersey number the players get given, that doesn’t mean it is locked and loaded either, but if we can get it as close as we can to what we want it to look like, that’d be good.”

Boxing Day fixture a good test for Leeds Rhinos’ NRL signings, claims Arthur

The Australian has named his strongest available side, with all new signings Ryan Hall, Maika Sivo, Jake Connor, Keenan Palasia and Cooper Jenkins all set to feature.

“I think they are excited,” Arthur said. “It will be good for [the imports] to get a feel of the competition here, playing in different weather and temperature.

“It is going to be a big learning experience for those guys and they are looking forward to having that in a game where it’s important, but it’s not worth two points.

“They can get a good feel for the style of footy and the environment they are going to have to play in.”

Leeds suffered a major blow ahead of the Christmas fixture when 20-year-old Alfie Edgell suffered a fractured jaw in training last Friday.

Edgell underwent surgery on Saturday. He was due to start Thursday’s game at full-back in place of Lachie Miller, who is recovering from an off-season hamstring problem.

Morgan Gannon (Achilles) and hamstring injury victims Ben Littlewood, Ned McCormack and Fergus McCormack are also ruled out of the Boxing Day game and Arthur is anxious to avoid more injury woes.

Arthur said: “We’ve got some blokes returning from rehab who are well on track so fingers crossed we get through the trial matches. We want to start with a healthy squad in round one.”

Leeds’ first competitive game is still six weeks away and Arthur admitted he initially thought playing on December 26 was “a bit odd”, but the former Parramatta Eels boss insisted: “I am excited about it now.

“It’s a tradition that’s happened here for a long time. We are looking forward to seeing where we are at and most guys will only get 40-50 minutes for their first hit-out.

“You can do all the training you like, but until you get out there you don’t actually know where you’re at.

“At least we get a good early look at where we are at, then we’ve got a couple of weeks after that to go about trying to maintain some good areas and improve some areas that need fixing going into the second trial.”