6 Mar 2023

Opposition Report - Wakefield Trinity

Following last week's one-point winner against St Helens, Leeds Rhinos return home this Friday to take on Wakefield Trinity, kick off 8pm.

Tickets and travel are available to purchase now online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk, over the phone on 0371 423 1315 and from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop (Opening Hours).

Preview our opponents below:

2023 so far...

Sat at the bottom of the league table after three rounds, Wakefield Trinity will be looking to take points from either Leeds, Salford, St Helens or Hull KR this month.

Coming into the new campaign off the back of a positive pre-season, Mark Applegarth's side looked competitive in their opening-round clash with Catalans Dragons. Only 14 points separated the two clubs by full time, as Trinity fans got their first chance to see signings Renouf Atoni, Kevin Proctor, Rob Butler and former Dragon Samisoni Langi in action.

A week later, they had to endure a tough evening against Wigan and Liam Marshall as the winger scored four tries in a 60-0 performance. Trinity's return trip to the Be Well Support Stadium last week was also scoreless as Huddersfield managed to sneak an 8-0 win.

Mason Lino has been a leading player for Wakefield, despite the tough results. Along with being the club's leading points scorer during 2023 so far, he also has assisted three out of Trinity's four tries, made the second most carries on the team and also made the joint most offloads and tackle breaks.

Jai Whitbread's efforts have also put the forward at the top of Wakefield's charts. He has made the most metres (313) and tackles (137) by any Trinity player and is another to watch out for this Friday.

Next five fixtures

Round 4 vs Leeds Rhinos (Headingley Stadium, KO 8pm)

Round 5 vs Salford Red Devils (AJ Bell Stadium, KO 3pm)

Round 6 vs Hull KR (Be Well Support Stadium, KO 8pm)

Round 7 vs St Helens (Totally Wicked Stadium, KO 8pm)

Round 8 vs Castleford Tigers (Mend-A-Hose Jungle, KO 8pm)

Latest Super League match

A low-scoring affair at the Be Well Support Stadium saw Wakefield lose out to Huddersfield 8-0 in round three.

Joe Greenwood was the game's sole try scorer, whilst two goals from Tui Lolohea gave Wakefield their third defeat of the season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D6vUGgElfo

Tale of the tape

Points

Mason Lino (8 points)

Carries

Samisoni Langi (40 carries)

Metres

Jai Whitbread (313 metres)

Tackles

Kevin Proctor (112 tackles)

Team Stats

Four tries
1078 tackles
68 tackle busts
467 carries
22 offloads
11 penalties

Previous matches

Leeds' league record against Wakefield in history is largely weighted towards the team in blue and amber. Out of over 200 meetings down the years, Leeds have won 138 matches, compared to Wakefield's 88 wins.

Specifically, in Super League, the Rhinos have 45 wins in 58 matches, which includes an eleven-game winning streak between 2000 and 2004.

The classic

Nothing could separate Leeds and Wakefield in a classic meeting between the two sides in 1993. Coming off the back of defeats to Widnes in the league and Challenge Cup, Doug Laughton's side fought out a dramatic draw as Simon Irving led the scoring with two tries and three goals.

https://youtu.be/6ckIp2n17iA

The jaw-dropping moment

A late drop goal from Andrew Dunemann saw Leeds continue their winning streak in the league in 2003. Coming off the back of defeat to Bradford in the Challenge Cup Final, it was a tight affair for the Rhinos against Trinity but the boot of Dunemann proved crucial for the second time that season to win the game 13-12 for the home side.

https://youtu.be/CNQ4RNyzOCE

The last meeting

Leeds Rhinos returned to winning ways in style at Headingley Stadium as Rohan Smith’s side claimed a 24-6 result against Wakefield Trinity.

Two tries from James Bentley saw the forward get his first tries for the club, while Blake Austin and David Fusitu'a also added their names to the list of scorers.

https://youtu.be/hxUxuDR_krI

2023 Squad Numbers

Max Jowitt
Jorge Taufua
Corey Hall
Reece Lyne
Tom Lineham
Lee Gaskell
Mason Lino
Eddie Battye
Liam Hood
Jai Whitbread
Matty Ashurst
Kelepi Tanginoa
Jay Pitts
Jordy Crowther
Liam Kay

Josh Bowden
Renouf Atoni
Lee Kershaw
Kevin Proctor
Morgan Smith
Samisoni Langi
Rob Butler
Lewis Murphy
Harry Bowes
Sam Eseh
Dane Windrow
Robbie Butterworth
Ellis Roberts
Joe Law
Oliver Pratt

Connections

During the Super League era, there are plenty of players and coaches that have been part of both Leeds and Wakefield teams down the years. Here are just a few that you might remember...

Willie Poching - After four years at Wakefield, forward Poching arrived at Leeds in 2002 and became a Grand Final winner two years later. He was also a try scorer in the club's maiden World Club win against Canterbury too.

Corey Hall - A centre who came through the youth ranks at Wakefield, Hall signed for Leeds from Wigan in 2020 and made three appearances over two years at the club. He was reunited with Trinity in 2021 and was awarded the number three shirt for this season.

Ian Kirke - A prop that won Challenge Cups and Grand Finals during his eight years in blue and amber. Switched to Wakefield in 2015 and played a sole season at the club.

Anthony Mullally - After a loan spell at Trinity in 2015, prop Mullally arrived at the club in 2016 and won his first Grand Final a year later.

BUY TICKETS

Tickets for this Friday’s home clash against Wakefield Trinity are available to buy now!

Online: Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk up until 30 minutes before kick off and tickets will be sent to your email address so you can use them on your smartphone at the turnstiles.

Over the Phone: Call our ticket office on 0371 423 1315 (10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays)

In the Leeds Rhinos Club Shop: at Headingley Stadium (Opening Hours). You can also email your enquiries to tickets@therhinos.co.uk.

On the turnstiles – Fans can purchase tickets which covers entry for the Global East Stand Terrace and Western Terrace via the Kirkstall Lane and St Michael’s Lane turnstiles on match day using contactless payment with either a credit or debit card or payment using a smartphone.
Fans wishing to go in the South Stand will need to buy their tickets in advance of the game or from the ticket office on the day of the game.
Cash is no longer accepted as payment on the turnstiles. Turnstiles on match day open three hours before kick off.

All ticket prices increase by £3 on matchday and all promotions finish from midnight the day before a match day so we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.