Jon Wilkin asserted that even some of the most celebrated squads in Super League history would have struggled to overcome Wakefield Trinity on Saturday night, as Daryl Powell’s men produced a stunning upset against the Wigan Warriors and secured their place in the Grand Final. A cascade of second‑half scores saw Trinity bring an end to Wigan’s 16‑match winning run, leaving Matt Peet’s side reeling after being outpaced by Wakefield’s ferocious combination of speed and power.
The match took a decisive turn after the 45‑minute mark when Wigan were reduced to twelve men. Australian five‑eighth Adam Keighran received a sin‑bin for a tip‑tackle, and Wakefield seized the opportunity with ruthless efficiency, crossing the line three times while the opposition played a man short. Wigan had begun the encounter brightly, matching Wakefield’s intensity and even breaking the deadlock after a tense opening fifteen minutes when Brad O’Neill dived over.
However, the League Leaders’ Shield holders, who had enjoyed a two‑week break before the semi‑final, faltered in the second half. "Wigan were poor, but that was entirely a result of what Wakefield threw at them," Wilkin told Sky Sports. "It was a clinical display full of power, pace, energy, enthusiasm and execution.
No side in the Super League could have competed with Wakefield today." Wilkin went further, suggesting that "some of the great teams we’ve had in the history of the Super League wouldn’t have survived the 80 minutes that Wakefield produced." After Keighran’s sin‑bin, Tom Johnston finished off a sweeping move with a diving try in the corner, and shortly thereafter Jack Sinfield powered through Junior Nsemba for another score. Within seven minutes, Corey Hall sprinted down the wing and smashed over the line, completing a rapid hat‑trick of tries for Trinity. Ky Rodwell capped the 27‑point victory with a well‑timed effort, benefitting from superb handling by Jake Trueman. Post‑match, Wigan coach Matt Peet praised the opposition, acknowledging that his own side had been "well prepared" but were simply outclassed on the night.
"Wakefield were outstandingly good," he said. "All the credit goes to them and to Daryl. We were outplayed, outcoached and beaten in every department.
It hurts, but the night belongs to them." The win guarantees a fresh name on the Super League trophy, as Wakefield will now meet Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final at Old Trafford next Saturday, an event that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Powell, who left Castleford Tigers at the end of the 2021 season after guiding them to a Challenge Cup final and their first Super League Grand Final, took over at Wakefield in October 2023.
In just a few months he has helped lift the club from the Championship to its inaugural Super League Grand Final appearance, marking one of the most successful seasons in the club’s modern history. Wilkin reflected on Powell’s impact, noting that "the jury was still out after his spell at Castleford, but there is no doubt Daryl Powell is an exceptional coach who can organise a group of men and lead them to success. He’s done that with style and class.
Wakefield play with risk and they play the game beautifully." The praise was echoed by club owner Matt Ellis, who could barely contain his excitement: "It still hasn’t sunk in. Four‑and‑a‑half thousand fans still singing, what a performance.
That was the best performance in my time owning the club. I’m so proud. We just nailed it today, didn’t we?
I never imagined in my wildest dreams we’d be four scores ahead. I had a good feeling all week; the pressure was on them, we came in confident. It’s a happy group, an even happier group now. There are so many good stories – three years after relegation, and now we’re here!" The upcoming Grand Final, part of the Betfred Super League showcase, will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ on Saturday, 3 October, from 5 pm.
Fans can also watch via Sky Sports’ streaming service or contract‑free on NOW. Wakefield’s remarkable semi‑final triumph has set the stage for a historic showdown, and the rugby league world will be watching to see if the momentum they generated against Wigan can carry them to ultimate glory.