Wakefield Trinity secured a home play‑off rematch against the Leigh Leopards with a convincing 19‑8 win 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.
Finishing fourth represents Wakefield’s highest league position ever achieved in the Super League era and highlights the remarkable turnaround the club has enjoyed under head coach Daryl Powell since their promotion back to the top flight in 2025. The victory not only cemented their place in the play‑offs but also demonstrated the resilience and growing confidence of a side that has steadily climbed the table. In a parallel story, a youthful Warrington Wolves side edged out Toulouse Olympique 26‑14, sealing the third‑place slot. Their win sets up a clash with Hull KR, who sit sixth after a 36‑12 defeat at the hands of St Helens.
That encounter is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September, also on Sky Sports. Both Eliminator winners will move on to the semi‑finals, where they could 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. In the build‑up to the Wakefield‑Leigh Eliminator, the visitors opened the scoring when Tom Johnstone crossed early, capitalising on a well‑executed kick.
Jake Trueman then added a try for Leigh, giving them a 4‑0 lead. Wakefield responded with two penalties from Max Jowitt and a spectacular second try by their winger, pushing the score to 12‑0. Just before halftime, Trueman slotted a drop‑goal, extending the lead to 13‑0, leaving the Leigh supporters aware that the same contest would be revisited on neutral ground the following week.
Leigh emerged from the break with renewed vigor, and Owen Trout got them on the board. Momentum seemed to swing in their favour when Mason Lino was sin‑binned for a professional foul, and Innes Senior seized the opportunity with a brilliant finish on the edge, narrowing the gap to 13‑8.
However, Wakefield held firm; with three minutes remaining, Cam Scott dived over in the corner and Max Jowitt’s conversion sealed a 19‑8 triumph. Leigh had previously eliminated Wakefield in the 2025 play‑offs, so a repeat victory this season would have marked their first win over Trinity in 2026. Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell told Sky Sports, "I thought the boys did us proud today.
We had a sin‑bin but we stayed tough and courageous afterward. We'll dust ourselves off, learn from this and get ready. Both teams have been talking about the play‑off crunch, and we probably 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 carried it forward this season." He added, "We've taken great lessons from this campaign and we're a better side because of them. It's fantastic—into the six and a great opportunity for us.
Are we good enough? That's for us to prove.
We need to show we can achieve great things." Warrington’s coach Sam Burgess opted for a bold rotation, resting most of his regulars and making eleven changes. The gamble paid off as the young squad secured third place with a solid victory. Toulouse, under Sylvain Houles, have impressed throughout 2026 after returning to the Super League, and they gave Warrington a stern test.
Paul Ulberg opened the scoring for Toulouse, but an error allowed Aaron Lindop to equalise. Mathieu Pons added another try before halftime, and Lachlan Webster levelled the score at 8‑8 just before the break, though none of the four first‑half tries were converted. In the second half, Toulouse struck first again through Romeo Tropis, but Warrington responded emphatically. Max Wood powered over from close range, and Lindop added a second try after another defensive lapse.
Even with a man down after Charlie McKler’s sin‑bin for a high shot, the Wolves displayed grit, with Josh Smith diving onto a Leon Hayes kick to score. Hayes successfully converted three of the five tries, and Warrington now set their sights on Hull KR at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for a semi‑final berth. St Helens provided an emotional backdrop as they bid farewell to modern‑day legends Mark Percival and Jonny Lomax. The Saints honoured Percival by handing him the captaincy for the first time, with a guard of honour forming as the duo walked onto the field.
Their departure also marked an early exit from the season; after finishing seventh the previous year, they were expected to dominate the inexperienced Hull KR side. Coach Willie Peters rested several key players ahead of the title defence, but the first half unfolded in the Saints’ favour. Percival opened the scoring and then assisted Lomax for the second try.
Lomax added his own second try just before halftime, giving St Helens an 18‑0 lead. Hull KR fought back through Bill Leyland and a dazzling solo effort by 18‑year‑old debutant Flynn Holden, but contributions from Deon Cross, Jacob Host and Harry Robertson ensured a comprehensive 36‑12 victory, providing a fitting send‑off for the departing icons. 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) - Semi‑Final 1 – Friday 25 September: Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8 pm, Sky Sports (KO) - Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday 26 September: Wigan Warriors vs TBC, 5:30 pm, Sky Sports (KO) The Super League play‑offs kick off on Friday 18 September and will run through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, with live coverage on Sky Sports throughout.