Wakefield Trinity secured a home play‑offs rematch against 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, but this time the fixture shifts to Yorkshire on Friday, 18 September, with live coverage on Sky Sports.
Finishing fourth represents the highest league position Wakefield have ever achieved in the Super League era, underscoring the resurgence the club has enjoyed under head coach Daryl Powell since their return to the top flight in 2025. The win not only cemented their place in the knock‑out stages but also highlighted the growing confidence of a side that has turned a modest budget into a competitive outfit.
In a separate contest, a youthful Warrington Wolves side out‑scored Toulouse Olympique 26‑14, sealing third place on the ladder. That victory sets up a showdown with Hull KR, who sit sixth after a 36‑12 defeat to St Helens. The Wolves‑vs‑Hull KR encounter is slated for Saturday, 19 September, also on Sky Sports.
Both eliminator winners will advance to the semi‑finals, where they will have the chance to face either league‑leaders Wigan Warriors or second‑placed Leeds Rhinos. The ultimate prize is a place in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October. The pre‑match build‑up for the Wakefield‑Leigh eliminator saw Tom Johnstone give Leigh an early lead with a well‑timed kick that the visitors capitalised on, putting them ahead 4‑0 after Jake Trueman’s winger crossed the line. Max Jowitt then added two penalties for Wakefield, and a second try from the same winger – a spectacular effort that left the crowd buzzing – pushed the home side to a 12‑0 advantage.
Just before the interval, Trueman slotted a drop‑goal to make it 13‑0, leaving Leigh supporters despondent as they contemplated a repeat of last year’s play‑off loss, this time on the road. The second half began with Leigh showing more intent; Owen Trout finally got them on the board.
A sin‑bin for Mason Lino after a professional foul seemed to spark a comeback, and Innes Senior responded with a brilliant edge finish to narrow the gap to 13‑8. Wakefield, however, held firm.
With three minutes remaining, Cam Scott surged into the corner to score the final try, and Jowitt’s conversion sealed a 19‑8 victory. The win not only avenged the 2025 play‑off defeat but also gave Powell and his squad a morale boost heading into the next round.
After the match, Powell told Sky Sports, "I thought the boys did us proud today. We had a sin‑bin but we stayed tough and courageous. We'll dust ourselves off, learn from this and get ready.
Both teams know it’s play‑off time, and we left a few points on the field because of some desperate defending from Leigh. It’s all about next week now. Leigh beat us last year in the play‑offs, we were stung by that, and we carried that feeling into this season.
We’ve learned great lessons and are a better side because of them. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us.
Are we good enough? That’s for us to prove on the field." Warrington’s head coach Sam Burgess took a bold approach by rotating his squad, making eleven changes and handing the majority of minutes to younger players. The gamble paid off as the Wolves secured a convincing win and solidified their third‑place finish.
Toulouse, under Sylvain Houles, have impressed throughout 2026 since re‑entering the Super League, but they fell short against a determined Warrington side. The match opened with Paul Ulberg crossing for Toulouse, only for Aaron Lindop to capitalize on a defensive error and equalise.
Mathieu Pons added another try for the French side before half‑time, with Lachlan Webster levelling the score at 8‑8. None of the four first‑half tries were converted, leaving the scores level.
In the second half, Romeo Tropis gave Toulouse the lead again, but Warrington responded swiftly. Max Wood powered over from close range, and Lindop added a second try after another opposition mistake.
Even after Charlie McKler was sin‑binned for a high tackle, the Wolves displayed resilience. Josh Smith finished a move set up by Leon Hayes, who later converted three of the five successful conversions for Warrington. The final whistle confirmed a 26‑14 triumph and set the stage for a clash with Hull KR at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. The weekend also featured an emotional farewell at St Helens, where club legends Mark Percival and Jonny Lomax were honoured before a 36‑12 rout of Hull KR.
Percival was handed the captaincy for the first time, and a guard of honour escorted both icons off the field. Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the victory marked the earliest season‑ending win in St Helens’ recent history; they had finished seventh the previous year and were expected to dominate a relatively inexperienced Hull KR side. Coach Willie Peters rested several key players ahead of the title defence, opting to protect his squad for the forthcoming play‑offs.
The first half unfolded as a showcase for the home side: Percival opened the scoring and then assisted Lomax for the second try. Lomax added a second try just before half‑time, giving Saints an 18‑0 lead. Hull KR fought back through Bill Leyland and a dazzling solo effort by 18‑year‑old debutant Flynn Holden, but the combined efforts of Deon Cross, Jacob Host and Harry Robertson ensured a comprehensive win for St Helens, providing a fitting send‑off for the departing legends. Key fixtures: - Friday 18 September: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards, 8 pm, Sky Sports (Knock‑out) - Saturday 19 September: Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, 5:30 pm, Sky Sports (Knock‑out) - Friday 25 September: Leeds Rhinos vs TBD, 8 pm, Sky Sports (Semi‑final 1) - Saturday 26 September: Wigan Warriors vs TBD, 5:30 pm, Sky Sports (Semi‑final 2) The Super League play‑offs commence on 18 September and will run through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, offering fans a thrilling climax to the season.