Wakefield Trinity delivered one of the most remarkable shock results ever seen in the Super League playoffs, crushing Wigan Warriors 33-6 to clinch a place in their inaugural Grand Final. The League Leaders Shield holders, Wigan, entered the match on the back of an unbeaten run of sixteen games across all competitions and were widely tipped to book a third consecutive Grand Final appearance. Yet the ferocious performance from Wakefield, a side that only two seasons ago competed in the Championship, left the Warriors reeling.
The opening half was tightly contested, with both teams matching each other's intensity. Early on, Wakefield’s Jazz Tevaga was penalised for a trip on Liam Marshall and spent time in the sin‑bin, giving Wigan a brief advantage. Wigan’s Brad O'Neill capitalised, bulldozing his way over for a try, but Trinity answered swiftly.
Tom Johnstone finished a dazzling move in the corner, putting Wakefield ahead. A subsequent penalty for a ruck infringement awarded Wakefield a two‑point lead just before the break, and the half ended with the scores level.
The second half began in much the same vein until a pivotal moment shifted the momentum. Wigan’s play‑maker Adam Keighran was shown a yellow card after a tip‑tackle on Isaiah Vagana, forcing the Warriors to play with ten men for ten minutes. Wakefield pounced immediately.
Johnstone, exploiting a mismatched defensive line, sprinted into the corner for his second try of the night with a spectacular finish. Minutes later, Jack Sinfield powered through Junior Nsemba’s defence to score his own try, extending the lead. Within seven minutes of Keighran’s sin‑bin, Corey Hall sprinted down the wing and touched down, giving Wakefield a 27‑point cushion.
The Warriors, now down to ten men, struggled to find any rhythm, while Wakefield continued to press. Jake Trueman, who had been a constant threat throughout, delivered a precise off‑load to Ky Rodwell, who crossed for the final try, sealing a 33‑6 rout. Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell was effusive in his post‑match comments: “I thought we were superb.
We were 100 per cent in the second half, 94 per cent in the first. We made only one mistake all game.
Wigan have been brilliant all season, but tonight we were unbelievable. We started a little shaky, but once we got our teeth into the game we never looked back. It’s a special group of boys and we have an amazing opportunity next week.” Wigan’s coach Matty Peet acknowledged the impact of Keighran’s dismissal but insisted the result was not solely about that incident.
“They had to be very good to punish us when we lost Adam,” he said. “No way is this game about that. We were well beaten.
Wakefield deserve it. We were prepared and motivated, but they were simply better on the day.
Credit to Wakefield – it hurts, but the night belongs to them.” The victory propels Wakefield into a Grand Final showdown with Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford next Saturday. For a club that only recently returned to the top flight, the achievement marks a historic milestone and promises a thrilling climax to a season that has already produced one of the biggest upsets in Super League history. Fans can watch the Grand Final live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ on Saturday, October 3, from 5 p.m., or stream without a contract on NOW.
The stage is set for Wakefield to potentially add another chapter to their remarkable rise, while Warrington will look to reaffirm their own pedigree in the competition.