Rhinos too strong for Wakefield

New Zealand full-back Brent Webb made the most of his switch to stand-off by scoring two tries in Leeds' impressive 32-12 Boxing Day win over Wakefield in front of an 8,797 crowd at a snowy Headingley.

The Rhinos, who fielded six members of their Grand Final-winning team, scored three tries in each half on their first outing since their Old Trafford triumph.

Their victory was based on a strong performance up front from Luke Burgess, with Webb and acting captain Rob Burrow pulling the strings at half-back in place of absent England pair Kevin Sinfield and Danny McGuire.

Youngster Ben Jones-Bishop, who will spend the 2010 season on loan to Super League rivals Harlequins, stepped comfortably into Webb's shoes at full-back, scoring a brace of tries in a lively display.

New signings Michael Coady and Kyle Amor had quiet first appearances in Leeds colours, while the champions suffered a blow with the loss of second-rower Carl Ablett with a leg injury midway through the first half.

Wakefield, who had new signings Ben Jeffries, Terry Newton and Paul King on display, had an outstanding performer in Aaron Murphy, who made an impressive switch from wing to full-back.

They took the lead with winger Dale Morton's sixth-minute try and threatened to secure a third successive Boxing Day triumph over the champions when Luke George and James Davey added further scores in the second half.

But Danny Brough missed all three conversion attempts and Leeds finished strongly, with Webb sending Burgess and Jones-Bishop over for clinching tries in the last 15 minutes.

Kallum Watkins scored the Rhinos' other try and Burrow kicked four goals.