Leeds Rhinos’ 2025 Betfred Super League season got off to a disappointing start as Wakefield Trinity held on for a 14-12 win at AMT Headingley.

Trinity walked out to a 14-0 lead with three first half tries before Leeds responded with Harry Newman’s effort at the end of the half. The second half proved to be a tighter affair - Sam Lisone scoring the only try of the half - but the visitors held on to take the win.

After their convincing win over Wests Warriors in the Betfred Challenge Cup a week ago, Brad Arthur made three changes for the Rhinos’ opening Betfred Super League clash against Wakefield. Mikolaj Oledzki and James Bentley were both rested in the Cup but were straight into the starting lineup in place of Cooper Jenkins and Morgan Gannon. Gannon dropped down to the bench to join Sam Lisone, Tom Holroyd and Alfie Edgell, whilst Andy Ackers was elevated into the starting hooker position.

It was a highlight game in particular for Rhinos half back Brodie Croft who ran out for his 150^th career game.

Putting a long pre-season behind them, both sides got off to a quick start as they engaged in hard hits and tough carries. Wakefield found joy attacking Leeds’ right edge through Matty Russell and Oli Pratt, but the Rhinos didn’t struggle for metres themselves; errors proved costly as Keenan Palasia and Harry Newman broke good spells of pressure.

22 minutes into the contest, Trinity managed to find the opening score. Shifting the ball wide to Tom Johnstone on his Wakefield return, the winger managed to smuggle the ball away as he was taken over the sideline to Max Jowitt, and the full back exchanged passes with Corey Hall for the full back to score.

Four minutes later, Daryl Powell’s side found themselves two tries up as Jowitt came through again. Leeds’ attacking set looked to pen Trinity back by their own line but Jake Trueman found a space between Newman and McDonnell to break into the backfield. Wrong-footing full back Jake Connor, the half back unselfishly gave the ball to Jowitt to make the score 10-0.

The chances kept coming for the away side, who were looking to end the game in the first forty minutes. Oli Pratt looked to have carved the Rhinos' defence wide open for his attempt, but the video referee pulled the decision back for an obstruction. Leeds proved their own enemy shortly after as Connor spilt a kick into the in-goal from Liam Hood and Mason Lino was there to touch down.

In need of a spark before the break, the Rhinos got lucky when Wakefield lost Croft’s chip for the corner in the air and Harry Newman was quickest to react, but there was a mountain to climb for Arthur’s side with the score at 14-6.

Coming out for the second half, it was largely a game of cat and mouse in the second half as Leeds pushed for points, whilst Trinity held strong in defence. Buoyed by the home support, the Rhinos looked to set the agenda early with quick drives from subs Tom Holroyd and Sam Lisone, but to no reward on the scoreboard as McDonnell couldn’t get through the Wakefield defence. Trinity had a big chance with Corey Hall, but the centre was well tackled by Ryan Hall and lost the ball.

Desperate to get over the line, a creative attack from Leeds ended with Riley Lumb coming up short, but the referee gave the home side hope when Mason Lino was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle on the young winger.

Using the extra man to their advantage, Morgan Gannon almost had the perfect re-introduction back into the side as he hit a hole and raced to the try line, only for the referee to deem that the back-rower had made a double movement getting the ball over the line.

More pressure on Wakefield heading into the final ten minutes, after Andy Ackers had blown a chance as he offloaded over the try line only for Jack Croft to pick up the ball, Sam Lisone kept hopes of a comeback alive by crashing onto a short ball to get over the line. Alas, it was a consolation as Trinity held out to win 14-12.

Teams:

Leeds Rhinos

18. Jake Connor, 23. Riley Lumb, 4. Ash Handley (CC), 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ryan Hall,  6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 10. Keenan Palasia, 11. James Bentley, 12. James McDonnell, 13. Cameron Smith (CC)

Subs: 15. Sam Lisone, 19. Tom Holroyd, 16. Morgan Gannon, 21. Alfie Edgell (18^th Man – 17. Cooper Jenkins)

Tries: Newman (38), Lisone (78)

Goals: Connor 2/2    

Wakefield Trinity

1. Max Jowitt, 24. Matty Russell, 19. Oli Pratt, 4. Corey Hall, 5. Tom Johnstone, 6. Jake Trueman, 20. Mason Lino, 8. Mike McMeeken (C), 9. Liam Hood, 15. Caleb Hamlin-Uele, 25. Jack Croft, 17. Matty Storton, 13. Jay Pitts

Subs: 7. Olly Russell, 14. Tom Doyle, 18. Isaiah Vagana, 31. Caius Faatili (18^th Man - 23. Josh Rourke) 

Tries: Jowitt (22, 26), Lino (33)

Goals: Jowitt 1/3

Download the team sheet here