Leeds Rhinos mystery solved after win v Wakefield Trinity: latest talking points

Youngsters, along with a senior man playing out of position, impressed during Leeds’ 18-10 win in the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge. Here’s five talking points.

1: Question answered. At least one mystery was solved during Rhinos’ pre-season opener. Leeds’ management have appeared quite relaxed about the prospect of going into 2026 with only two specialist halves in their squad and now we know why.

Not only did 18-year-old George Brown look at home in the scrum-half role, but also Chris Hankinson - better known as a full-back, centre or wing - did a good job at stand-off. Hankinson’s kicks set up two of Leeds’ three tries and the other was a solo score by Brown.

Obviously, Rhinos want and need Brodie Croft and Jake Connor fit and available this year and can’t expect too much too soon from rookie Brown, but he looked physically capable of holding his own at senior level, at least on an occasional basis. Brown may well make his debut in 2026, while Hankinson is probably first reserve in case of injuries or suspensions anywhere in the backs.

2: Lang-term planning. Leeds coach Brad Arthur was at the game, but one of his assistants, Jamie Langley, was in charge of the team on Boxing Day and took the post-match press conference. Along with fellow assistant-coach Scott Grix, Langley - who is highly-rated at Leeds - recently signed a new contract until the end of 2028 and that looks like an important piece of business by the club. Arthur is on a rolling contract and will make a decision on 2027 by early summer, but it seems Langley is being groomed as his successor for when the Aussie eventually decides to return home.

3: Bah humbug. Rhinos’ least meaningful game of 2025 was watched by a bigger crowd than their most important fixture. A gate of 11,266 were at AMT Headingley on Boxing Day, compared with 11,108 for last September’s play-off against St Helens. And that’s despite both clubs naming their under-strength line-up well in advance. There’s clearly a demand for Christmas rugby and while it might be an annoying distraction for players and coaches, they are likely to be stuck with it for the foreseeable. The real mystery is why more clubs don’t do the same.

4: Winning start. Festive fixtures aren’t really about rugby; the main purpose is providing fans with an excuse to get out of the house and for clubs to generate some cash midway through pre-season. Gate receipts are shared and last week will have given Wakefield, as well as Leeds, a handy financial boost.

Getting through unscathed is paramount, but - though the result is meaningless - it’s better to win than not and Rhinos’ second-string team did a good job against an equally makeshift Trinity lineup. Forwards Ben Littlewood and Cooper Jenkins were two who impressed. Both sides will get sharper with the ball as pre-season goes on, but defences looked in good shape and a host of young players gained valuable experience in front of a big crowd.

5: Ruck and roll. Referee Marcus Griffiths awarded 13 penalties (nine to the visitors) and a similar number of set-restarts (six going Leeds’ way). Speaking afterwards, both Langley and Wakefield coach Daryl Powell felt an early look at how matches will be officiated next season was something useful to take out of the contest.

Their teams play a style of rugby suited to a faster ruck and, according to Langley, Rhinos’ halves are “licking their lips” at the prospect. Initially, a high number of penalties and six-agains won’t please fans, or the media, but the game will be a better spectacle in the long-run once the message sinks in. That’s assuming referees stick at it, rather than letting things slide after the usual early-season crackdown.