Leigh Leopards and Wakefield Trinity met in the final fixture of the regular Super League schedule, a game that saw Wakefield claim victory. Yet both sides understand that the stakes shift dramatically once the knockout phase begins.
Wakefield have already etched a historic achievement into the club’s record books by finishing fourth in the league – the highest position the team has ever attained. Their next ambition is to break another barrier by reaching the semi‑finals for the first time in club history. Leigh, on the other hand, have been on an upward trajectory since their promotion back to the top tier in 2023. The Leopards have captured the Challenge Cup and have become a regular fixture in the Super League semi‑finals, signalling that they are no longer newcomers but genuine contenders.
Their ultimate aim now is to push beyond the semi‑final stage and earn a place in the grand finale, the coveted showdown at Old Trafford. Joe Ofahengaue, a key forward for Leigh, believes the team’s fate in the upcoming eliminator hinges on disciplined execution of their game plan.
"If we stick to the plan and deliver it on the day, we could achieve something that would mean everything to us," he told Sky Sports. Reflecting on the recent regular‑season loss, Ofahengaue admitted, "It felt like the match was tilting in Wakefield’s favour. I’m not blaming the refereeing – I think we simply got our tactics wrong. They capitalised on a few lapses in our defence, but the rugby league gods have given us a second chance.
If we get our plan right, we can make a real noise in these playoffs." He went on to stress the emotional stakes for the squad, noting that several senior players will be departing at the end of the season. "Making it to the Grand Final would mean the world to me.
I’m emotionally attached to this group, and I want to send those leaving on a high note. The only way to do that is by winning. I don’t want to look too far ahead, but reaching Old Trafford is definitely a big goal for us." Wakefield’s head coach Daryl Powell has been instrumental in the club’s rapid rise.
After earning promotion back to the Super League in 2025 and finishing sixth in their first season, the Trinity have now climbed to fourth place, a clear sign that they are evolving into a side that can consistently challenge the league’s elite. Powell sees the upcoming encounter with Leigh as a chance to prove that the club can beat a top‑four opponent twice in quick succession.
"I expect Leigh to raise their intensity," Powell told Sky Sports. "They will likely take the game to another level.
I’ve told the lads that we shouldn’t let the result of this match dictate what happens next week. We need to reset, go again, and we believe we can play even better. Each season we aim to progress.
Last year we finished sixth and felt we didn’t do ourselves justice in the playoff against Leigh. It’s almost poetic that we meet them again this year – a chance for redemption.
Being a genuine top‑four team means getting to the semi‑finals and then fighting for a Grand Final spot. If we can achieve that, it would be a massive boost for the club and something we’d all be thrilled about." The schedule for the play‑offs is set: the first eliminator pits Wakefield Trinity against Leigh Leopards on Friday, 18 September at 8 p.m. on Sky Sports.
The following day, Warrington Wolves face Hull KR at 5:30 p.m. on the same network. Semi‑final one is slated for Friday, 25 September with Leeds Rhinos taking on a yet‑to‑be‑confirmed opponent at 8 p.m., while semi‑final two follows on Saturday, 26 September with Wigan Warriors against an unnamed team at 5:30 p.m., both also on Sky Sports. The play‑off series culminates in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October.
Both clubs understand that the eliminator is more than just another game; it is a gateway to a chance at glory, a test of character, and an opportunity to write a new chapter in their respective histories. For Leigh, a win would keep their dream of a first Grand Final appearance alive, while for Wakefield it would cement their breakthrough season with a historic semi‑final berth. Fans can expect a fiercely contested match, with each side eager to prove that they belong among the elite and to seize the momentum that could carry them all the way to the final showdown at Old Trafford.