Wakefield Trinity booked their spot in the play-offs eliminator with a commanding 19-8 triumph over Leigh Leopards in the final round of the Super League season, setting up a Yorkshire showdown next week that will determine who advances to the semi-finals.
The two clubs will meet again on Friday September 18 at The DIY Kitchens Stadium, with the winner progressing to face either Wigan Warriors or Leeds Rhinos for a place in the Grand Final. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at 8pm.
Wakefield's fourth-place finish represents their highest league position since returning to Super League in 2025, a remarkable turnaround under head coach Daryl Powell that underscores the club's resurgence this season. According to Sky Sports' standings, Trinity finished on 38 points after 27 matches.
In the day's other eliminator, Warrington Wolves wrapped up third spot with a 26-14 victory over Toulouse Olympique, earning a home tie against Hull KR, who finished sixth after a 36-12 defeat to St Helens. That contest takes place on Saturday September 19 at Halliwell Jones Stadium, also live on Sky Sports at 5:30pm.
The winners of both eliminators will then face off against the top two seeds—Wigan Warriors, who claimed the Leaders' Shield, and second-placed Leeds Rhinos—in the semi-finals scheduled for Friday September 25 and Saturday September 26, with the Grand Final set for Old Trafford on October 3.
Wakefield's statement performance leaves Leigh with regrets
Wakefield made their intentions clear from the opening moments, with Tom Johnstone crossing for the visitors in the early stages after Jake Trueman orchestrated a slick attacking move that sent the winger over for a 4-0 lead.
Two penalties from Max Jowitt extended Wakefield's advantage before Johnstone struck again with a spectacular finish in the corner, pushing the home side into a commanding 12-0 position. Trueman then added a drop goal just before the interval to stretch the lead to 13-0, leaving the Leigh supporters facing the grim prospect of a return fixture at the same ground the following week.
Leigh emerged with renewed purpose in the second half and Owen Trout got them on the scoreboard to provide some hope. The momentum shifted further when Mason Lino was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, and the visitors capitalised through Innes Senior, whose brilliant finish on the edge brought the score to 13-8 and suggested a comeback might be possible.
However, Wakefield's resolve proved unshakeable. With three minutes remaining, Cam Scott powered over in the corner and Jowitt's conversion sealed a 19-8 victory that sets up a tantalising rematch. Leigh had defeated Wakefield in last year's play-offs, but the two sides have not met since the regular season began, meaning a Leopards victory next week would represent their first win over Trinity in 2026.
Powell: time to prove we belong among the elite
Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell reflected on the performance with a mixture of satisfaction and determination as his side prepared for the knockout stage.
I thought the boys did us proud today. We had a sin-binning but then we were tough and courageous after that. We will dust ourselves down, learn from this, and get ready. I think both teams will have been talking about it being around play-off time and being ready for it.
Powell acknowledged that his team had left points on the field due to defensive lapses from Leigh, but he was keen to focus on the challenge ahead.
We probably left a couple of points on the field thanks to some desperate defence from Leigh. It is all about next week now. Leigh beat us last year in the play-offs, we were stinging from that, and we carried that into this year.
The Trinity boss highlighted the lessons his squad has learned throughout the season as they prepare for their knockout campaign.
I just think we have had some great lessons. We have carried them through with us and we are a better team for having them at the end of the season. It is awesome—into the six and a great opportunity for us. Are we good enough? It is for us to show we are. It is for us to show we are capable of great things.
Warrington's gamble pays off as youth shines through
Warrington head coach Sam Burgess took a calculated risk by making 11 changes to his squad, resting the majority of his established players and handing opportunities to his younger contingent. The strategy proved vindicated as the Wolves secured third spot with a gutsy 26-14 victory over Toulouse Olympique.
Toulouse, who have impressed since their return to Super League in 2026 under Sylvain Houles, started brightly and Paul Ulberg crossed first. However, an error from the visitors allowed Aaron Lindop to capitalise and level the contest. Mathieu Pons restored Toulouse's lead, but Lachlan Webster's try on the stroke of half-time brought the score to 8-8, with none of the four tries converted.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Toulouse striking first through Romeo Tropis. Warrington then shifted up a gear, with Max Wood barging over from short range before Lindop capitalised on another Toulouse error for his second try. Even when Charlie McKler was sent to the sin bin for a high shot, the Wolves demonstrated their character and Josh Smith produced an incredible effort to slide in at the corner following a Leon Hayes kick.
Hayes converted three of the five tries, and Warrington now prepare to welcome Hull KR to Halliwell Jones Stadium in a battle for a semi-final spot. The young squad's performance suggests Burgess's faith in his emerging talent was well-placed, and they will carry that momentum into the knockout stages.
St Helens bid farewell to two modern legends
St Helens marked an emotional evening as they honoured two of the club's greatest modern players, Mark Percival and Jonny Lomax, with a 36-12 victory over Hull KR. The pair were handed a guard of honour as they took to the field, with Percival captaining the side for the first time in his career.
The farewell proved bittersweet, as St Helens' seventh-place finish represents their earliest exit from the season in the club's history. Against an inexperienced Hull KR side, they were expected to dominate, and they delivered a comprehensive performance that gave their departing legends a fitting send-off.
Percival opened the scoring before providing the assist for Lomax to extend the lead. Lomax then barged over for his second try on the stroke of half-time, putting Saints 18-0 ahead. Hull KR, who had welcomed back Mikey Lewis from his two-match suspension, hit back through Bill Leyland and an impressive solo effort from 18-year-old debutant Flynn Holden, but tries from Deon Cross, Jacob Host and Harry Robertson sealed the comprehensive victory.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters had opted to rest his players ahead of their play-off campaign, and the Robins finished in sixth place on 32 points according to Sky Sports' final standings. They will now face Warrington in the eliminator, knowing that a win will set up a semi-final against either Wigan or Leeds.
The road to Old Trafford begins
The Super League play-offs commence on Friday September 18 with Wakefield hosting Leigh at The DIY Kitchens Stadium, followed by Warrington's home tie against Hull KR on Saturday September 19 at Halliwell Jones Stadium. Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
According to the official Super League website, Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos have already secured their places in the semi-finals as the top two seeds. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday September 25 and Saturday September 26, with the winners advancing to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3.
The play-offs promise to deliver compelling rugby league, with Wakefield seeking to prove they belong among the elite, Warrington's young guns looking to upset the established order, and the top two seeds preparing to defend their positions. The journey to Old Trafford begins now.
