Jon Wilkin argued that many of the most celebrated squads in Super League history would have struggled to overcome Wakefield Trinity on Saturday night, as Daryl Powell’s men pulled off a remarkable upset against the Wigan Warriors and secured a place in the Grand Final. The match turned into a second‑half fireworks display, with Trinity snapping Wigan’s 16‑match winning run and leaving Matt Peet’s side bewildered by the sheer speed and power on display.
The turning point arrived just after the 45‑minute mark when Adam Keighran was sin‑binned for a tip‑tackle, reducing the visitors to twelve men. Wakefield capitalised ruthlessly, crossing the line three times while the Australian five‑eighth served his time on the bench.
Earlier in the game, Wigan had shown promise, matching Wakefield’s intensity and breaking the deadlock after a tense opening fifteen minutes when Brad O’Neill struck first. However, the League Leaders’ Shield holders, who had enjoyed a two‑week break before the semi‑final, began to falter once the second half got underway.
"Wigan were poor, but that was entirely a result of what Wakefield threw at them," Wilkin told Sky Sports. "It was a clinical performance full of power, pace, energy, enthusiasm and flawless execution.
No side in Super League could have competed with Wakefield today." Wilkin went further, claiming that even some of the greatest teams ever to grace the Super League would have struggled to survive the 80 minutes of relentless pressure that Wakefield imposed. After Keighran’s dismissal, Tom Johnston finished strongly in the corner with a diving try, and Jack Sinfield followed by beating Junior Nsemba at close range for a second score. Within seven minutes the trio completed a hat‑trick of tries, as Corey Hall sprinted down the wing and powered over the line, while Ky Rodwell added a fourth after a brilliant pass from Jake Trueman, sealing a 27‑point victory. Post‑match, Wigan coach Matt Peet praised the opposition, acknowledging that his side had been "well prepared" but ultimately fell short.
"Wakefield were outstandingly good," he said. "All the credit goes to them and to Daryl. We were out‑played, out‑coached and beaten in every department.
It hurts, but the night belongs to them." With this win, a new name is guaranteed to be etched on the Super League trophy. Wakefield will now face Warrington Wolves in the Grand Final at Old Trafford next Saturday, a showdown that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Powell, who left Castleford Tigers after the 2021 season—having guided them to a Challenge Cup final and their first Super League Grand Final—took charge of Wakefield in October 2023. In just a few months he has transformed the club from a Championship side into a Grand Final contender, delivering arguably one of the best seasons in the club’s modern history.
Wilkin reflected on Powell’s impact, noting that opinions were mixed after his Castleford tenure but that his current results speak for themselves. "There is no doubt Daryl Powell is an exceptional coach who can organise a group of players and steer them to success. He has done it with style and class.
Wakefield play with risk and they play the game beautifully," he added. Owner Matt Ellis also showered the team with praise. "It still hasn’t sunk in," he said, referring to the 4,500‑strong crowd still chanting after the final whistle.
"That was the best performance in my time owning the club. I’m so proud. We nailed it today, didn’t we? I never imagined we’d be four scores ahead.
I had a good feeling all week; the pressure was on them, but we came in confident. It’s a happy group, now an even happier group.
Three years after relegation we’re here, and the stories we’re writing are incredible." The semi‑final also highlighted the tactical acumen of both coaches. Powell’s decision to keep his defensive line tight and to exploit the gaps left by Wigan’s forward fatigue paid dividends, while Peet’s early game plan of high‑tempo ball movement initially threatened to unsettle Trinity. Yet as the minutes ticked on, fatigue set in for the Warriors, and Wakefield’s relentless attacking structure began to dominate possession and territory.
Looking ahead, the Grand Final promises to be a clash of contrasting styles: Wakefield’s high‑octane, risk‑taking approach versus Warrington’s disciplined, structured play. Fans can tune in on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ on Saturday, October 3, from 5 p.m., or stream the action contract‑free via NOW. The stage is set for a historic showdown, and if Saturday’s semi‑final was any indication, Wakefield will be eager to add another chapter to their rapidly rising legacy in the Super League.