In the closing fixture of the regular Super League campaign, Leigh Leopards and Wakefield Trinity met once again, with Wakefield emerging victorious. Yet everyone involved knows that a knockout setting can completely alter the dynamics of a game.
Wakefield have already carved their name into the record books by finishing fourth in the league – the highest position the club has ever achieved – and now they are eyeing a historic first‑time appearance in the semi‑finals. Leigh, on the other hand, have been on a rapid ascent since their promotion back to the top tier in 2023. The Leopards have already captured a Challenge Cup trophy and have become regular fixtures in the Super League semi‑finals. Their next ambition is to push beyond the penultimate round and earn a place in the grand finale, the ultimate "big dance" of the season.
For forward Joe Ofahengaue, the key to progressing lies in the Leopards executing their game plan flawlessly. He believes that if the team can stick to their strategy, they could achieve what would mean "everything" to the squad. Ofahengaue told Sky Sports, "It was a strange game. I felt it was shaping up to favour Wakefield, but that’s not a comment on the refereeing – it’s simply that we got our game plan wrong.
They took advantage of a few lapses in our defence, yet the rugby league gods have given us a second chance. If we can tighten up our plan, we can really make some noise in these playoffs." He went on to stress the emotional stakes, "Reaching the Grand Final would mean everything to me. I’m heavily invested in this group. Several key players are set to leave after this season and I want to send them out on a high.
The only way to do that is by winning. I don’t want to look too far ahead, but getting to Old Trafford is definitely a massive goal for us." Wakefield’s head coach, Daryl Powell, has been instrumental in the club’s rapid rise.
After securing promotion back to the Super League in 2025 and finishing a respectable sixth place, the team has now climbed to fourth, signalling that they are becoming a consistent challenger for top honours. Powell sees the upcoming eliminator as a chance for the club to cement its status and perhaps even exact a little revenge on Leigh, who knocked them out of the playoffs in 2025. "I expect Leigh to raise their intensity," Powell said to Sky Sports. "They’ll probably take the game to another level.
I’ve told the boys that we can’t let one result dictate what happens this week. We need to reset, go again, and we feel we can actually play better. Every season we talk about progression. We finished sixth last year and felt we didn’t do ourselves justice in that playoff loss to Leigh.
It’s ironic we meet them again this year – it’s a chance for redemption. Being a genuine top‑four side means reaching the semi‑finals and giving yourself a shot at the Grand Final. That would be an incredible achievement for the club and would get everyone excited." Both coaches acknowledge that the eliminator is a do‑or‑die encounter.
For Leigh, the focus will be on tightening defensive structures that were exploited by Wakefield in their previous meeting, while maintaining the attacking flair that has served them well throughout the season. For Wakefield, the challenge is to build on the confidence of their historic league finish and translate that momentum into a disciplined, high‑intensity performance that can withstand the physicality of the Leopards. The schedule for the play‑offs is set: the first eliminator takes place on Friday, September 18, when Wakefield Trinity host Leigh Leopards at 8 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The following day, Warrington Wolves travel to Hull KR for the second eliminator at 5:30 p.m. The semi‑finals follow on September 25 and 26, with Leeds Rhinos and a yet‑to‑be‑determined opponent meeting in the first semi‑final, and Wigan Warriors facing an unknown challenger in the second.
The culmination of the tournament will be the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3, broadcast live on Sky Sports. As the teams prepare for this high‑stakes showdown, the narrative is clear: Leigh aim to prove that their recent successes are not a flash in the pan, while Wakefield seek to cement their breakthrough season with a deep playoff run.
The eliminator will not only decide which side advances but also offer a glimpse into the evolving balance of power within the Super League. Fans can expect a fiercely contested match, with both squads aware that a single mistake could end their aspirations, and a single moment of brilliance could propel them toward the coveted Grand Final stage.