Rhinos begin Vegas preparations with Boxing Day clash

Leeds Rhinos trio of 2026 recruits will be on display for the first time as Brad Arthur's men begin their preparations for Vegas with the traditional Boxing Day clash against Wakefield Trinity.

Arthur has named 2025 grand final forward Ethan O’Neill following his move from Leigh Leopards, Raiders hooker Danny Levi and Cowboys rookie Jeremiah Mata’utia in his squad for the match at Headingley, kicking off at 11.30pm (12.30am AEST)

The Rhinos will meet Super League premiers Hull KR at Allegiant Stadium on February 28 as part of a triple-header, featuring NRL fixtures between the Bulldogs and Dragons, and Cowboys and Knights.  

There is a familiar look to the forward pack for the Rhinos with regulars Tom Holroyd, Jarrod O’Connor and Cooper Jenkins starting in the front row and Keenan Palasia at lock.

Young half back George Brown, who scored the match winning try in last year’s Festive Challenge, will get the chance to start this year and is one of only two players not to have made a first team debut in the starting line-up; the other being winger Harley Thomas.  

With a number of senior players coming back from post season surgery or those involvement with the England squad during the Ashes not included, the back line has an exciting youthful look.

Max Simpson will be out to celebrate his new contract at centre alongside Ned McCormack, with Riley Lumb getting a chance to impress on the wing after Ryan Hall and Maika Sivo were not required for Boxing Day duty.

Alfie Edgell will start at full back with Chris Hankinson captaining the side in the halves alongside Brown.

As well as Levi and Mata’utia on the bench, Tom Nicholson-Watton is included along with the next generation of Leeds stars who have been training with the first team squad during pre-season.

Wakefield Trinity and Daryl Powell made a statement to the Super League competition in their first season back in the top tier as they became the latest promoted side to secure a play-off berth.

Following in the footsteps of Leigh Leopards, who have made the play-offs each season since their Super League return in 2023, Wakefield completed a stellar 2025 season by finishing in sixth place after Round 27 with 15 wins

Amongst their campaign, notable results saw Trinity secure key wins against Leigh in round 6, Wigan in round 15, and two wins against the Rhinos on the opening day of the season and in Round 20 (thanks to the boot of Mason Lino) as Powell guided a club back to the finals for the first time since 2021.

Max Jowitt's career revival continued after the 2024 Championship Player of the Year had his best Super League season to date with 14 tries and 222 points in 23 games, whilst England winger Tom Johnstone announced his return to Belle Vue with 14 tries to finish as the side's joint top try scorer.

Alongside Johnstone, the club's other season recruits stepped up to carry the club to the top six - none more than forwards Caius Faatili and Mike McMeeken. McMeeken rekindled his connection with head coach Powell from their days at Castleford and finished the year with both a Dream Team and England spot, whilst the barnstorming Faatili was one of the surprises of the year, ripping defences apart all year long.

Trinity has built again for the 2026 season with Samoan stalwart Jazz Tevaga and Broncos premiership winner Tyson Smoothy set to bolster the club's hooker and loose forward options.

The bulk of the squad remains largely unchanged as long-serving veterans such as Josh Griffin, Liam Hood and Matty Russell have been replaced by upcoming stars in former Rhino Jack Sinfield, Dolphins prop Tray Lolesio and St Helens Academy winger Kian McGann as Powell mixes a win-now attitude with preparing for years to come.