The countdown is on for Leeds Rhinos' opening round fixture of the 2025 season as Brad Arthur's side prepare to take on Daryl Powell's Wakefield Trinity on Saturday afternoon at AMT Headingley, kick off 3pm.

Here's everything you need to know about our opposition, Wakefield Trinity:

A brief history in Super League...

Trinity first arrived on the Super League scene in 1999, four years after their last appearance in the formerly named Championship in 1994, and finished tenth two seasons in a row to begin their life in the summer era of the sport.

2004 was a particular highlight when the club finished sixth in the standings as Sid Domic recorded 22 tries and David March led on the points-scoring front with 170, plus the club got their first taste of Play Off action as they beat Hull FC in the first week before losing out to Wigan in the second round of knockout matches. 

John Kear took over the helm as head coach from 2006 after former Wigan and Castleford half back Tony Smith's departure after two seasons, but it took until 2009 for the club to achieve another Play Off campaign; Catalans Dragons ending Trinity's hopes of Old Trafford in a 25-16 loss in the opening weekend. They followed that up with another Play Off appearance in 2012, but three years later they found themselves fighting for Super League survival in the Qualifiers.

In the wake of their Million Pound Game win over Bradford, Chris Chester's appointment in 2017 stabilised the squad and turned the club's fortunes around as they rose up the table. A combination of Ben Jones-Bishop and Tom Johnstone on the wings saw the pair finish as top try scorers across the 2017 and 2018 campaigns to help the club to back-to-back fifth-place rankings, but from 2019 the club found itself falling down the league table again.

A poor 2023 season resulted in the club dropping out of the Super League competition, but with Daryl Powell at the helm leading the club to promotion inside of one season. sights are set for a strong season ahead.

New Faces

After using experience to get them promoted out of the championship, Daryl Powell brings in a handful of new recruits to bolster Trinity's ranks further:

- Tom Johnstone (A familar name around the DIY Kitchens Stadium, Johnstone proves significant firepower to Trinity's backline with his mixture of speed and tries).

- Cameron Scott (Brought in from Hull FC after seven years in black and white; his experience can help a relatively young group of outside backs).

- Corey Hall (Another that returns for a second spell at the club; after playing for Hull KR and Castleford, Hall hopes to be back as a consistent starter under Powell).

- Jake Trueman (Plenty of talent after coming through the ranks under Powell at Castleford's Academy; hopes to put injuries behind him and kick on at Trinity).

- Olly Russell (A long-time servant for Huddersfield Giants and a half back with an eye for conversion kicking; has 203 goals since 2018 for the Giants).

- Mike McMeeken (Skipper for the new season and another familiar face for Powell; has 11 England appearances and 263 club games under his belt).

- Seth Nikotemo (Highly rated out of the Queensland Cup competition; already has two tries in two pre-season friendlies against Leeds and Castleford).

- Matty Storton (A Grand Finalist with Hull KR last year after 4 seasons with the Robins; one of Hull KR's best tackle completions at 88.8% in 2024).

- Josh Rourke (Made an electric start to his Super League career with a try against Leeds; looking to go to the next level with Powell).

- Matty Russell (At his eighth club since his debut season in 2012, the Scotland international has 98 tries in 200 club games).

- Caius Faatili (Arrives from Sunshine Coast Falcons with eight tries in 22 games last year; another young forward ready to impress in 2024).

- Neil Tchamambe (Rising winger who has spent time in Leeds' Academy and at Hull KR; part of a swap deal that sees him arrive on loan for the season).

Pre Season Review

Ahead of the start of a new Super League season, Wakefield played two games in preparation for their back in the top tier.

Kicking off against Leeds on Boxing Day in a repeat of this week's fixture, the Rhinos had a late try from youngster George Brown to thank for getting them an 18-16 result. After going 12-0 down to the home side at half time, Wakefield bounced back with tries from Noah Booth, Seth Nikotemo and Dom Sinfield but couldn't hold off Brad Arthur's side.

Luke Gale's Testimonial game against Castleford was a different story as Trinity roared into a 20-4 lead at the interval and didn't break stride. 

Standout Stats!

500 points

Championship player of the year Max Jowitt had a sensational 2024 as he finished the year with 26 tries and 198 goals. He only missed one game in all competitions, and he appeared in the 1895 Cup Final vs Sheffield and the Grand Final against Toulouse.

16 wins

Daryl Powell has won 16 times against Leeds in his career. 14 wins came at the Tigers between 2015 and 2021, and two came at the start of Powell's time at Warrington Wolves.

2018

The last year that Wakefield got a win on the opening weekend of the Betfred Super League. That result came in a 28-6 win over Hull KR, but since then the club have lost to London, the Robins, Leeds, Hull FC and Catalans prior to their relegation in 2023.

88

Back at the club for a second spell, Tom Johnstone can close in on 100 tries for Wakefield in his ninth season at the club. Separated by a two year spell at Catalans Dragons, the homegrown winger is back and already scoring after touching down against Goole in the Challenge Cup.

Record vs Leeds

Total League wins (All time) - 89 wins

Total League wins at AMT Headingley - 56 wins

Total Super League wins - 13 wins

Total Super League wins at AMT Headingley - 7 wins

Wakefield's Highest Score vs Leeds - Trinity 44 Leeds 28 (Away/2005)

Widest margin vs Leeds - Trinity 38 Leeds 6 (H, Super 8s/2017)

Top Try Scorer vs Leeds - Tom Johnstone (10 tries)

Top Points Scorer vs Leeds - Jamie Rooney (61 points)

Still time to get tickets!

Round one is here so make sure you're along for the full season with the Rhinos, starting on Saturday vs Wakefield!

Match tickets start at £25 for adults, £20 for concessions and £13 for juniors and are available online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0371 423 1315. Tickets also available to purchase from Leeds Rhinos Ticket Office at AMT Headingley Stadium but check opening times before travelling.

Want to fully commit for the season? Why not get a Rhinos Season, Flexi or Supporter Membership before the first game of the season! All the information is available at https://d15k2d11r6t6rl.cloudfr... or online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk.