Leeds Rhinos will have even more to celebrate this festive season, after defeating Wakefield Trinity in the annual Boxing Day clash.
The side, today led by assistant boss Jamie Langley, secured an 18-10 victory over Daryl Powell’s Trinity, and here are the biggest talking points from that clash.
Leeds opened the scoring with a try from Alfie Edgell, before George Brown and Riley Lumb crossed in the first half. Isaiah Vagana and Jayden Myers scored for the visitors.
Leeds Rhinos vs Wakefield Trinity talking points
Wakefield their own worst enemy
Trinity couldn’t get their attack going for the best part of the game, with a huge number of handling errors costing them good field position. Be it loose carries or failed offloads, Daryl Powell’s side just couldn’t find that attacking spark often enough, whilst Leeds managed to convert their opportunities.
George Brown impresses
Lots has been made over who Leeds’ back-up half will be, should Brodie Croft or Jake Connor be unavailable. Those concerns will no doubt be eased after watching young George Brown’s performance. The reserves Grand Final winner crossed for a try in the first half, executing a show-and-go before using strength to get the ball over the line. Later in the opening 40, he broke the line again, whilst his kicking game was the better of Leeds’ two playmakers.
Half-back Hankinson
Leeds’ other half was Chris Hankinson, who has seeming switched to that position this off-season, despite spending the majority of his career in the back five. In what was his first game in the role since 2022, his first kick was charged down, but he did manage to grab an assist, with his grubber finding Riley Lumb, who subsequently converted the opportunity. Of the two though, Brown was the one that impressed, and had more of an influence on Leeds’ performance. After what looked to be an injury to his hand, he exited the field in the second half, with youngster Harry Smith coming on in his place.
New signings given first run out
In total, eight players from both sides featured in new colours, with Leeds having three signings feature, and Wakefield five. Ethan O’Neill started for Leeds, with Jeremiah Mata’utia and Danny Levi coming off the bench. Trinity started Will Tate and Jack Sinfield, whilst Trey Lolesio, Jordan Williams and Kian McGann also took to the field.
None were exceptional, and one stint is clearly not enough to form a composing opinion, but Lolesio was arguably the best of Trinity’s five, whilst Mata’utia impressed the Rhinos fans with his size and strength.
Sinfield’s Headingley return
Jack Sinfield featured heavily for Wakefield, after moving to the club from Leeds this off-season. The 21-year-old failed to find touch from a penalty, but overall didn’t do too much wrong. After taking a hit, he looked to have a problem with his ribs, but carried on, before he departed on 65 minutes.
The Rhinos fans certainly made themselves heard as he was taking conversions, with the crowd doing all they could to try and put him off.
