All you need to know about Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos - essential information for Super League round one derby

Here’s all the essential information about the big derby.

Fixture: Wakefield Trinity v Leeds Rhinos.

At: Emerald Headingley (Trinity ‘home’ game).

On: Saturday, March 27.

Kick-off: 3pm.

Coverage: Sky Sports. Our League for season ticket holders.

Tickets: No admission for fans - the game will be played behind closed doors.

Trinity coach: Lifelong Wakefield fan Chris Chester, 42, replaced Brian Smith as team boss in 2016. A former Hull KR player and coach, Chester also played for Halifax, Wigan and Hull. Ex-Wakefield and Leeds player Willie Poching is now onboard as assistant-coach, along with Andy Last following his spell in charge of Hull last year.

Trinity star man: Wakefield have made only one signing since finishing 10th last year, so Samoan half-back Mason Lino has a big job on his hands. He’s a talented play-maker with a strong kicking game and could be suited to Super League.

Key battle: New Zealand Test prop Zane Tetevano is expected to make his Rhinos debut and is a significant addition to their pack. Trinity front-rower Dave Fifita has slimmed down in pre-season and, coach Chris Chester says, is looking back to his best so both will be keen to make a point.

Form: Wakefield finished 10th out of 11 in Super League last year, five places behind Rhinos.

Previous meeting: November 1, 2020. Betfred Super League round 11. Wakefield Trinity 18 (Tries Kershaw, Westerman, Senior. Goals Hampshire 3), Leeds Rhinos 20 (Tries Handley 2, L Sutcliffe, Dwyer. Goals L Sutcliffe 1, Martin 1). Referee: Liam Moore.

Last five results (most recent first): Trinity LLWWW; Rhinos LWLWL

Previous game: Wakefield Trinity 20 Salford Red Devils 28 (November 6, 2020, at Headingley); Catalans Dragons 26 Leeds Rhinos 14 (November 13, at HJ Stadium, Warrington).

Milestones: Rhinos’ Richie Myler needs four points to reach 500 in Super League. Trinity’s Joe Arundel needs one appearance to reach 150 in Super League and teammate Joe Westerman needs two tries to reach 100 for his career.

Super League head to head: Leeds won 40, Wakefield won 10, one draw. Wakefield highest score: 44-28 (away, 2005, widest margin: 38-6 home 2017); Leeds highest score: 70-6 (away 2005, also widest margin).

Rhinos injuries: Jack Walker (foot), Harry Newman (broken leg), Konrad Hurrell (calf), Ash Handley (knee) and Rob Lui (quad) will all miss out, along with Tom Holroyd (leg) and Callum McLelland (groin).

Wakefield Trinity: from Johnstone, Tupou, Lyne, Kay, Miller, Lino, Fifita, Arona, Ashurst, Tanginoa, Westerman, Batchelor, Green, Senior, Crowther, Arundel, A Walker, Tangata, J Wood, B Walker, Aydin.

Leeds Rhinos: from T Briscoe,Gale, Oledzki, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Tetevano, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, Myler, Smith, Vuniyayawa, Thompson, A Sutcliffe, Walters, L Briscoe, Donaldson, O’Connor, Broadbent, Eastmond.

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas (Leigh).

Next game: Wigan Warriors v Wakefield Trinity (Thursday, April 1, at TW Stadium St Helens, 6pm), Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers (Friday, April 2, TW Stadium St Helens, 3pm).

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