Video Of My expierience at Headingley:

The Story Of Boxing Day:

The historic Boxing day clash between Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity is a real reminder of how rugby league used to be played before the start of Super League in 1996, when rugby league transitioned to become a summer sport to gain extra television money from Sky and Rupert Murdock.

Now in 2023, the Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge is the go-to Rugby League event in the pre-season as it is the first chance to see how new signings, players and potentially new coaches are looking for the new season.

Match Report:

Wakefield Trinity have recently been relegated to the second division of English Rugby League, The Championship. And have recently been taken over by new owners, who have brought lots of money to the New Look Wakefield Trinity. Plus the addition of new coach Daryl Powell, who used to lead the Rhinos 20 years ago.

Leeds come off the back of a dissapointing year, they embarrassingly missed out on the play-offs and lost many highly rated players such as Kruise Leeming and Blake Austin. However, now with a new season approaching the pre-season optimism is strong at Leeds.

Many new signings were playing for Leeds including new star fullback Lachlan Miller. Who comes to the Rhinos as a favourite with the fans to bring the 8-Time Super League champions back to glory.

Wakefield began the game very strong, putting 22 points past the Rhinos within the first half. The Rhinos seemed to be shocked at just how well the Championship side was playing. And the fans in the stands were shocked at how poorley the Leeds side were playing.

Leeds were able to turn around the defecit in the second half, winning the game 41-22. The Rhinos scored six tries in the second half. With stand-out tries from Winger Derrell Olpherts and Rhinos captain Cameron Smith.

But What Makes this game so special?:

Well, boxing day is a great family occasion for the festive period, with Headingley adding a range of games to play in the famous South Stand. Aswell, as a chance to spend Christmas money in the boxing day sales inside of the Rhinos club shop.

And mainly it is a reminder to people who watched rugby league pre-Super League, how the game used to be played in the winter months.

9,565 people attended the boxing day fixture, which for what is basically a pre-season friendly is a great success.