Leeds began their preparations for 2022 with an impressive 34-6 win over West Yorkshire rivals Wakefield. The result came courtesy of braces from Harry Newman and Ash Handley however it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Trinity whose youngsters shone at times.
Major Talking Points:
1 Exciting glimpses from the Rhinos
The thing everyone at Headingley was intrigued to see what just how Leeds’ halfbacks world fair. Reunited at the club after a successful stint at Canberra together there’s high hopes for Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer going into 2022. Although not the perfect attacking performance, Leeds certainly showed glimpses of an exciting offence with the pair linking with fullback Richie Myler really well. Sezer also crossed for a try and notched three goals whilst he and Austin both kicked smartly.
2 Cameron Smith makes a claim for 13 spot
Cameron Smith finished last season strongly with his blend of skill and strength making him a threat off the bench leading some to believe that he should be trusted as Leeds’ first choice loose forward in 2022. With Zane Tetevano at prop, Smith started at 13 and was a constant threat down the middle making yards but also starting sweeping attacking plays which led to tries. With Tetevano potentially set for a prop role next year, Smith might have done enough today to secure the starting spot for next year.
3 Exciting youngsters
Whilst Leeds named a strong side for the friendly, Wakefield trusted a few youngsters in their starting 13 and, although against more experienced opponents, they showed exciting glimpses as did the young subs who also entered the field. Speaking of which Leeds’ 17 year old Jack Sinfield got his first taste of first team rugby and enjoyed a few nice touches and followed in his father’s footsteps with a pair of goals using a similar technique to that his dad used to such good effect.
Player Ratings:
Leeds
1 Richie Myler – 8
2 Jack Broadbent – 6
3 Harry Newman – 9
4 Tom Briscoe – 7
5 Ash Handley – 8
6 Blake Austin – 7
7 Aidan Sezer – 7
8 Mikolaj Oledzki – 7
9 Kruise Leeming – 6
10 Zane Tetevano – 8
11 Alex Mellor – 6
12 James Bentley – 6
13 Cameron Smith – 8
Substitutes
14 Brad Dwyer – 6
15 James Donaldson – 6
16 Morgan Gannon – 6
17 Bodene Thompson – 6
19 Jack Sinfield – 6
20 Jarrod O’Connor – 6
22 Liam Tindall – 6
Wakefield
1 Robbie Butterworth – 6
27 Lewis Murphy – 7
3 Thomas Minns – 6
30 Corey Hall – 6
16 John Davetanivalu – 6
21 Brad Walker – 7
17 Lee Gaskell – 7
22 Yusuf Aydin – 6
24 Harry Bowes – 7
10 Tinirau Arona – 6
11 Matty Ashurst – 6
12 Kelepi Tanginoa – 7
14 Jordan Crowther – 7
Substitutes
9 Liam Hood – 6
35 David Fifita – 7
2 Oliver Farrar – 6
18 Kobe Poching – 6
Charlie Abraham – 6
