Leeds Rhinos Defeat Wakefield Trinity 18-10 in Festive Challenge

Key Points:

• Leeds Rhinos claimed an 18-10 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 2025 Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge at AMT Headingley.
• All three of Leeds’ new signings — Ethan O’Neill, Jeremiah Mata’utia, and Danny Levi — made their club debuts.
• Three first-half tries sealed the victory for Rhinos, as Alfie Edgell, George Brown, and Riley Lumb crossed the line.
• Isaiah Vagana and Jayden Myers scored for Wakefield Trinity.
• Both sides fielded youthful squads ahead of the 2026 Super League season.
• The second half saw mass substitutions and disallowed tries for Leeds from Levi and Jenkins.
• Brad Arthur’s Leeds side showed early promise with fluid attack and defensive organisation.
• The match continued a long Boxing Day tradition at Headingley before the league campaign begins in February 2026.

How did Leeds Rhinos secure victory?

As reported by Leeds Live sports correspondent Matthew Shaw, the Rhinos came into the contest with a blend of first-team regulars and rising academy talents eager to impress head coach Brad Arthur, who oversaw his first festive challenge in charge.

Arthur’s side took command early, applying sustained pressure through strong halves play from Chris Hankinson, George Brown, and Alfie Edgell. Within the opening quarter of the game, Leeds were rewarded when Alfie Edgell collected a high kick that Wakefield’s Jayden Myers misjudged under pressure from Ned McCormack. Edgell pounced to open the scoring to the delight of the festive Headingley crowd.

Shortly after, as detailed by Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Peter Smith, half-back George Brown delivered a dazzling solo try, weaving through defensive gaps before grounding the ball near the posts, widening the score to 12–0.

Wakefield Trinity’s Isaiah Vagana responded soon after, forcing his way over the try line to reduce the deficit and give Wakefield renewed hope heading into the interval. However, Leeds restored their lead just before the break when winger Riley Lumb connected smartly with a grubber kick from Hankinson to make it 18–6 at half-time.

Who starred for Leeds Rhinos in their Festive Challenge win?

Leeds’ standout performers included George Brown, whose control and creativity at half-back earned widespread praise. As BBC Sport noted in its post-match analysis, Brown’s athleticism and game management “offered a glimpse of Leeds’ attacking potential going into 2026.”

Meanwhile, Ethan O’Neill impressed on his first start in the back row. Jeremiah Mata’utia and Danny Levi, both debuting from the bench, injected energy and physicality into the second half. Levi, who joined Leeds from the NRL, nearly opened his scoring account when he darted from dummy half, but referee Marcus Griffiths ruled the ball was held up.

Academy product Harley Thomas also caught the eye with tenacious defence, halting a potentially game-changing sprint from Wakefield’s Myles Lawford late in the match, preserving the Rhinos’ narrow lead.

How did Wakefield Trinity respond in the second half?

Wakefield, led by head coach Daryl Powell, began the second half with renewed intensity. As reported by The Guardian’s rugby league correspondent Aaron Bower, the visitors capitalised on several Leeds handling errors to build territory. Trinity’s persistence was finally rewarded when Jayden Myers took a sharp pass from Jack Sinfield to cross the line with twelve minutes remaining, narrowing the gap to 18–10.

Powell’s young side continued pressing, and Myles Lawford nearly brought them within two points after intercepting a loose pass from Levi. However, Leeds winger Thomas’s excellent chase prevented another Wakefield score and ensured the Rhinos maintained control in the game’s closing stages.

What did coaches and players say after the match?

Speaking to Sky Sports Rugby League post-match, Leeds head coach Brad Arthur applauded his team’s intensity and discipline, saying:

“I’m pleased with how the boys approached the game. It’s about building habits — starting strong, defending well, and giving the young lads a platform. This was a chance to set a tone for the year ahead, and I think we did that today.”

Arthur specifically praised George Brown’s performance, describing him as “a clever footballer who takes the line on and makes things happen.”

Wakefield Trinity’s Daryl Powell, also quoted by BBC Radio Leeds, credited his side’s resilience despite the defeat:

“We had patches where we switched off, especially early on, but the character we showed in the second half was encouraging. With the youngsters we’ve got, we’ll take plenty away from today.”

What made the match notable for Leeds fans?

As Leeds Rhinos’ official website highlighted, this Boxing Day fixture offered supporters the chance to witness the club’s new signings in live action for the first time. Ethan O’Neill, Jeremiah Mata’utia, and Danny Levi all featured prominently, while several academy graduates — including George Brown, Riley Lumb, and Harley Thomas — strengthened their case for senior inclusion in 2026.

The fixture also carried special sentiment, continuing a long-standing festive rugby league tradition dating back decades. The annual Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge has become a curtain-raiser to the new season for both clubs, offering early insights into form and roster depth before competitive league action begins in February.

What does this result mean ahead of the 2026 season?

While the Festive Challenge does not count toward league points, it remains an important pre-season barometer. As noted in The Yorkshire Post, the win represents early progress for Arthur’s rebuilding Leeds squad following a transitional 2025 campaign.

For Wakefield Trinity, the game reinforced both the depth and potential of their youth ranks. With standout performances from Myers and Lawford, Powell will be optimistic about his team’s development heading into the new season.

Despite a scrappy second half and disallowed tries from Levi and Jenkins, Leeds demonstrated structure and control, particularly in defence — aspects Arthur emphasised he wanted to strengthen upon taking charge earlier in the year.

What’s next for Leeds and Wakefield?

Leeds will now continue their pre-season preparations with friendlies scheduled against Featherstone Rovers and Huddersfield Giants in January, before kicking off their Super League campaign in early February.

Wakefield Trinity, recently promoted back to the Super League, will regroup ahead of their own pre-season fixtures, with Powell aiming to fine-tune combinations and improve early-game execution.