Former Widnes winger Damian Blanch made his mark for Wakefield with a brace of tries as the Wildcats ensured an inauspicious start for new Leeds coach Brian McClennan with a 26-18 win in the traditional Boxing Day friendly at Headingley.
McClennan, the former New Zealand Test boss who succeeded Tony Smith as the Rhinos boss after their Grand Final triumph in October, watched his youthful side go down to an impressive Wakefield team, who had five of their close-season signings on show for the 10,143 crowd.
The Super League champions have no new faces to bolster their title-winning team but at least McClennan will be able to call on his seven Great Britain internationals when the serious business starts in a little over a month's time.
The outcome of today's match was determined by a purple patch from the visitors, who ran in three tries in a seven-minute spell in the first quarter to establish a 16-0 lead.
Warrington Wolves also suffered a shock 38-18 defeat in their friendly encounter with National League One side Leigh Centurions at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Super League side fielded a youthful line-up but did include established first teamers in captain Lee Briers, Kiwi prop Paul Rauhihi, Chris Bridge, Ben Westwood and Rob Parker.
A near-full strength Leigh outfit were good value for their win with winger Dave Alstead grabbing a superb hat-trick of tries and second-row forward Lee Doran touching down twice.
Andy Bracek, Briers and Chris Riley crossed for the hosts.
New signing Michael Korkidas was an instant hit with Castleford Tigers after their 24-24 draw with Featherstone.
Ex-Wakefield and Salford prop Korkidas scored a try and helped set up another for fellow debutante Tom Haberecht as Super League Castleford drew with their neighbours in front of a crowd of 3,743.
Half-backs Anthony Thackeray and Joe Westerman also collected tries for the Tigers whose line-up included eight of their first team squad.
Former Castleford full-back Tom Saxton grabbed two tries on his debut for newly promoted national League One outfit Featherstone who recovered from 12-0 down after 17 minutes to lead 24-18 in the second-half.
Carl Hughes and Sean Hesketh were Featherstone's other try scorers.
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