Wakefield Trinity secured a home play‑off rematch with the Leigh Leopards after dispatching them 19‑8 in the final round of the Super League campaign. The two clubs will meet again next week in the fourth‑versus‑fifth Eliminator, this time on Yorkshire soil on Friday 18 September, with the match being broadcast live on Sky Sports. The fourth‑place finish marks the highest league position Wakefield have ever achieved in the Super League era, underscoring the rapid resurgence the club has enjoyed under head coach Daryl Powell since their return to the top flight in 2025.
Powell’s side have combined a stout defensive structure with a more expansive attacking game, and the victory over Leigh was a clear illustration of that balance. In a separate fixture, a youthful Warrington Wolves side overcame Toulouse Olympique 26‑14, cementing the Wolves’ place in third position on the ladder.
Their next challenge will be against Hull KR, who sit sixth after a 36‑12 defeat to St Helens. That quarter‑final will be staged on Saturday 19 September, also on Sky Sports.
Both eliminator winners will move on to the semi‑finals, where they will have the chance to face either the League Leaders’ Shield winners Wigan Warriors or second‑placed Leeds Rhinos. The ultimate prize is a place in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October. The opening stages of the Wakefield‑Leigh eliminator saw Tom Johnstone cross early for the visitors, capitalising on a well‑executed kick.
Jake Trueman quickly answered, sliding his winger in for a 4‑0 lead. Max Jowitt then added two penalty goals, and a second try for Wakefield’s winger – a spectacular finish that showcased the team’s speed and aerial prowess – pushed the score to 12‑0. Just before the break, Trueman extended the lead with a deft drop‑goal, making it 13‑0. The Leigh supporters, aware that they would host the reverse fixture a week later, were left to contemplate a daunting deficit.
Leigh emerged from the interval with renewed vigor. Owen Trout found the try line to get the Leopards on the board, and a sin‑bin incident involving Wakefield’s Mason Lino for a professional foul seemed to swing momentum. Innes Senior seized the opportunity, delivering a brilliant finish on the edge to narrow the gap to 13‑8. Despite the surge, Wakefield held firm.
With only three minutes remaining, Cam Scott powered over in the corner, and Max Jowitt’s conversion sealed a 19‑8 victory. The win not only avenged a 2025 play‑off loss to Leigh but also gave Wakefield a psychological edge heading into the rematch. After the match, head coach Daryl Powell spoke to Sky Sports, praising his players’ resilience: "The lads showed real character after the sin‑bin. We learned a lot from this game and we’ll take those lessons into next week.
Leigh beat us last year in the play‑offs, and that sting kept us focused all season. We’re ready to prove we belong among the best." Warrington’s coach Sam Burgess made a bold decision to rotate his squad, making eleven changes and handing many young players a chance to prove themselves. The gamble paid off, as the Wolves secured a convincing win and locked in third place.
Toulouse Olympique, under Sylvain Houles, have impressed throughout the 2026 season, showing that they can compete at the highest level after their recent promotion. Their early lead came from Paul Ulberg, but a defensive lapse allowed Aaron Lindop to equalise for Warrington. Mathieu Pons added another try before half‑time, and Lachlan Webster levelled the scores at 8‑8 just before the break. None of the four first‑half tries were converted, leaving the scoreline tight.
In the second half, Toulouse struck first through Romeo Tropis, but Warrington responded with a short‑range effort from Max Wood. A second mistake by the French side gave Lindop his second try. Even after Charlie McKler was sin‑binned for a high shot, the Wolves displayed grit; Josh Smith capitalised on a Leon Hayes kick to add another try. Hayes himself converted three of the five successful attempts, helping Warrington maintain a comfortable lead.
The victory sets up a clash with Hull KR at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, a match that will determine which team advances to the semi‑finals. St Helens also provided a memorable night, bidding farewell to club legends Mark Percival and Jonny Lomax with a 36‑12 triumph over Hull KR. Both veterans were honoured on the field, with Percival receiving the captaincy for the first time in his career. The Saints opened the scoring through Percival, who later assisted Lomax for the second try.
Lomax added a second try just before half‑time, giving St Helens an 18‑0 lead. Hull KR fought back, with Bill Leyland scoring and 18‑year‑old Flynn Holden delivering a sensational solo effort on debut. However, tries from Deon Cross, Jacob Host and Harry Robertson ensured the Saints maintained control and secured a comprehensive win, capping an emotional evening at the Magic Weekend.
Upcoming fixtures: - Friday 18 September: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards, 8 pm, Sky Sports (KO) - Saturday 19 September: Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, 5:30 pm, Sky Sports (KO) - Friday 25 September: Semi‑Final 1 – Leeds Rhinos vs TBD, 8 pm, Sky Sports (KO) - Saturday 26 September: Semi‑Final 2 – Wigan Warriors vs TBD, 5:30 pm, Sky Sports (KO) The Super League play‑offs commence on 18 September and will run through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, promising a thrilling conclusion to the season.