Keith Senior celebrated his testimonial in style as Leeds ruthlessly swept aside Huddersfield to lay down an emphatic marker for the forthcoming engage Super League season.
The 2006 campaign marked a step backwards for Leeds as they finished outside the top two for the first time in four years and again failed to land any silverware.
But, after watching his side blitz Huddersfield with nine unanswered tries, Rhinos coach Tony Smith has reason to believe they will launch a more credible challenge this term.
Leeds were awesome and, with Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire proving an irresistible force at half-back, Smith's men were 38-0 ahead at the break and in total control.
New Zealand full back Brent Webb marked his first appearance for the club with an early try which was consolidated by touchdowns from Clinton Toopi and Ashley Gibson, while McGuire and Burrow both crossed the line twice.
The joint testimonial for Senior and Huddersfield full-back Paul Reilly was fittingly sealed with a late try from Senior to add to Scott Donald's touchdown shortly after the hour mark.
Senior, the only player to feature in every season of Super League, holds the record for most appearances, while Reilly has given 10 years service to the Giants.
Unfortunately for Reilly, Huddersfield were awful and, save for the efforts of the effervescent Robbie Paul, coach Jon Sharp could take precious little encouragement from his side's display ahead of their Super League opener against champions St Helens next weekend.
Leeds were in command from the moment Webb, a close-season signing from New Zealand Warriors, scampered over in the third minute and two trademark tries from McGuire quickly secured a 12-0 advantage.
McGuire sent Toopi over for a fourth Leeds try and Gibson crossed the line in the right-hand corner before Burrow claimed two tries in three minutes shortly before half-time.
A disappointing second half saw Senior send over Donald in the 63rd minute before Leeds prop Jamie Peacock and Huddersfield counterpart Keith Mason were sinbinned for fighting.
However, Senior had the final say when he charged over the line eight minutes from time before skipper Kevin Sinfield claimed his seventh goal from nine attempts.