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 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.

Hooker Sam Obst opened the scoring with a solo try after 12 minutes, Blanch superbly collected Danny Sculthorpe's kick on the run to touch down for his first score and stand-off Scott Grix followed up a grubber from Danny Brough to score his side's third try.

Leeds, led by hooker Matt Diskin in the absence of 11 of McClennan's big-name stars, stemmed the onslaught and hit back with tries from young wingers Ryan Hall and Danny Williams.

But Wakefield finished the first half firmly in control thanks to a well-worked second try from Blanch, who finished strongly at the corner, and Brough kicked a third goal.

With experienced forwards Ryan Bailey and Jamie Thackray leading the way, Leeds dominated for long periods of the second half but only had a short-range try from young prop Michael Haley to show for their efforts.

The Wildcats made sure of the win when centre Ryan Atkins won a kick and chase to notch his side's fifth try but Leeds had the final say when Hall went 90 metres for an interception try.