Leigh Leopards and Wakefield Trinity met in the final round of the regular Super League schedule, with Wakefield emerging victorious. However, both sides understand that a knockout encounter can rewrite the narrative entirely.
Wakefield have already made club history by finishing fourth in the Super League – the highest league position the franchise has ever achieved – and they now set their sights on a new milestone: reaching the semi‑finals for the first time in their modern era. Leigh, on the other hand, have been on a rapid ascent since re‑entering the top flight in 2023.
In just a short period they have captured the Challenge Cup, secured regular semi‑final berths and established themselves as a genuine contender. Their next ambition is to push beyond the semi‑final stage and earn a place at the season‑ending Grand Final. Joe Ofahengaue, the powerful forward for Leigh, knows that the key to progress lies in flawless execution of the team’s game plan. Speaking to Sky Sports after the regular‑season meeting, he admitted that the Leopards felt the match tilted in Wakefield’s favour and that a mis‑reading of the opposition’s tactics cost them.
"It was a weird one. I thought the game shaped out to be all in Wakefield's favour," he said, adding that the result was not a reflection on the refereeing but rather on their own strategic errors. Ofahengaue believes that the club has been granted a second chance by the "gods of rugby league" and that, with the right adjustments, Leigh can make a significant impact in the play‑offs.
The forward emphasised how much a Grand Final appearance would mean to him and his teammates. "Making it to the Grand Final would mean everything.
I am banking on it," he declared. He also highlighted the emotional weight of the upcoming games, noting that several key players are set to depart after the season. "I am very emotionally attached to this squad. We have some key members leaving after this year and I want to send them out on a high note.
The only way we can send them out on a high is if we win it," Ofahengaue explained. While he cautioned against looking too far ahead, he confirmed that reaching Old Trafford remains a clear and compelling goal for the Leopards. Wakefield’s head coach, Daryl Powell, has been instrumental in guiding the club to its recent breakthroughs. Since their promotion back to the Super League in 2025, the Trinity have steadily climbed the ladder – finishing sixth in their first season back and now securing a fourth‑place finish.
Powell sees this progression as evidence that Wakefield are evolving into a side capable of challenging the league’s elite on a regular basis. When asked about the upcoming eliminator, Powell anticipated a step‑up in intensity from Leigh.
"I would expect Leigh to step up intensity‑wise," he told Sky Sports, adding that the upcoming fixture should not be viewed as a predictor of the semi‑final outcome. "We have just got to reset ourselves, go again, and we feel like we can play better actually.
We are talking about progression each year. We finished sixth and we didn't feel like we did ourselves justice in the play‑off game against Leigh in 2025. It's ironic that we face them again this year and a chance for a little bit of redemption.
Being a genuine top four team is about getting to those semi‑finals and giving yourself a chance to get to the Grand Final. It would be an awesome thing for the club. If we can do that, we will be pretty excited." The eliminator is scheduled for Friday, September 18, with Wakefield Trinity hosting Leigh Leopards at 8 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The winner will advance to the semi‑finals, where they will face either Leeds Rhinos or another qualified side on September 25. The other semi‑final pits Wigan Warriors against a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent on September 26.
The play‑off series will culminate in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3, marking the climax of the Super League season. Both clubs recognize that the eliminator is more than just another match; it is a chance to rewrite the story of their respective campaigns.
For Wakefield, a victory would cement their rise from newly promoted status to genuine title contenders, while for Leigh it offers an opportunity to translate recent cup success into a historic Grand Final appearance. The stakes are high, the emotions run deep, and the fans can expect a fiercely contested encounter that could set the tone for the remainder of the post‑season.