Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur spells out demands ahead of Wakefield Trinity friendly

That is reflected in the low-key nature of the matches, where the focus is often more on easing into the season than fretting about performance.

But every coach is looking for something from their team beyond conditioning.

For Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur, the Boxing Day derby against Wakefield Trinity provides early insight into whether his new signings and youngsters truly appreciate what it means to represent the Super League giants.

"It's a chance to see if they blend in and understand and can deliver on what our mentality as a team needs to be," he said.

"We've talked and done a lot of training based on our team mentality and what it looks like to pull on a Leeds Rhinos jersey and the things we want to stand for.

"In those early pre-season games, we just need to make sure everyone is really clear on that. I'm pretty confident that everyone is – and I need to see that."

Whether it is a trial game or a Super League fixture, Boxing Day or the middle of summer, Arthur demands the same mental approach from his players.

"We've established a real team identity and need to make that stronger," added the Australian, who took Leeds from eighth to fourth in his first full season at the helm.

"We want to be a team that is ready to go whenever we cross that white line and don't make excuses, regardless of what's happened during the week or how they're feeling. It doesn't mean our execution is always going to be at its best but we need to make sure we make the right choices around our effort.

"I'm proud to say there weren't any occasions where we didn't turn up to play last year. We might have had some bad days in terms of the execution of our plan but I think our fans can now safely say that they know what a Leeds Rhinos team looks like when they come to a game.

"That's what we need to continue to strive for."

There could be no complaints about Leeds' effort the last time supporters packed into Headingley but it did little to soften the blow of a heartbreaking play-off defeat to St Helens.

Arthur is not expecting any hangover when the Rhinos run out for the annual Wetherby Whaler Festive Challenge.

"We dealt with that disappointment straight away," said Arthur.

"It wasn't through a lack of effort – it was probably trying too hard that brought us undone. We dealt with that at the time and moved on from it.

"The camp (in Tenerife) was more about me giving each individual some one-on-one time and feedback on the first four or five weeks of pre-season, and a bit of a plan for them with the friendlies going into round one so they all feel they're getting equal opportunity to perform at their best and push for a spot.

"My job is to provide an environment for all 37 players – and they've all got different needs – that is conducive to them being at their best while giving them the opportunity to own their careers."

Leeds fans will get their first look at new signings Ethan O'Neill, Danny Levi and Jeremiah Mata'utia in a youthful team to face Wakefield.

Young half-back George Brown, meanwhile, has an opportunity to show he is capable of deputising for Jake Connor or Brodie Croft if and when required.

"Every coach hopes your senior players and key position players can get through a season unscathed but you have to have a back-up plan," said Arthur.

"We have got two really exciting halves in Crofty and Jake but if one of them was to get injured, young Browny showed in our session against Huddersfield – and he is going to get an opportunity in the Boxing Day game – that he is more than capable with the support around him to step up."

Like his Leeds counterpart, Daryl Powell has named a second-string team for his side's first hit-out of pre-season.

Jack Sinfield returns to Headingley as one of five new faces, alongside a host of academy and reserve players.

For the younger members of the Wakefield squad, it is a chance to show they belong – as Harvey Smith can testify.

"It's good for us younger lads to play against a team like Leeds," said the hooker. "It only makes us better.

"It is a bit different and probably not the most ideal prep but it's something we're all willing to get behind. It's the first challenge to see where we're at.

"We had a great following at Leigh in the last game of the play-offs and can't wait to get back in front of the fans."

Leeds Rhinos team: Edgell, Thomas, Simpson, N McCormack, Lumb, Hankinson (c), G Brown, Holroyd, O'Connor, Jenkins, Littlewood, O'Neill, Palasia. Substitutes: Mata'utia, Levi, Nicholson-Watton, Qareqare, O Brown, Hardy, Tooala, Smith, Stead, Lloyd, Smart, Diskin, Butterfield.

Wakefield Trinity squad: Abraham, Briggs, Brook, Faatili, Hall, Lawford, Lolesio, McGann, Molyneux, Myers, Pratt, Ratcliffe, Rodwell, Scott, D Sinfield, J Sinfield, Smith, Stephenson, Tate, Vagana, Walker-Smith, Williams.