Wakefield beat Wigan at Wigan Field to reach first Super League Grand Final
Wakefield Trinity defeated Wigan at Wigan Field in the Super League play-off semi-final on 26 September 2026 to reach their first Super League Grand Final and will face Warrington at Old Trafford next Saturday.
Belle Vue’s walls of black-and-white photographs recall the club’s 1960s peak and underline how far Wakefield had fallen before Daryl Powell’s 2023 appointment by owner Matt Ellis, who tasked him initially with winning promotion back to Super League. Ellis, described in the club account as a lifelong supporter and local kitchen magnate, told Powell: “When I came, Matt said to me: ‘I want you to turn black and white into colour’.” Two years after a 72-6 Championship win over Doncaster in front of just under 5,000, Wakefield will now appear at Old Trafford.
Wigan took an early lead through Brad O’Neill’s try, but Tom Johnstone’s score and two Max Jowitt goals put Wakefield 8-6 ahead at half-time. The match’s decisive moment came early in the second half when Wigan’s Adam Keighran was sin-binned for a tip tackle on Isaiah Vagana. While Keighran was off the field, Wakefield scored 16 unanswered points to turn an 8-6 half-time advantage into a 24-6 lead.
By the time Keighran returned, Wakefield had extended their margin with tries from Corey Hall, Jack Sinfield and a second for Johnstone that made it 24-6, and Ky Rodwell’s try after Keighran’s return emphasised the gap between the teams on the night. Mason Lino added a drop goal and Max Jowitt added a late penalty, with Jowitt finishing with six goals. The official scoring summary lists tries for Johnstone (2), Sinfield, Hall and Rodwell, goals Jowitt 6, and a drop goal by Lino.
Wakefield’s performance drew praise and admission from Wigan’s coach. “Wakefield were outstandingly good,” Wigan’s coach, Matt Peet, conceded. “We were outplayed and out-coached: they beat us all ends up. The night belongs to them.” Powell also reflected on his squad’s mentality: “Our mentality was always we thought we could come here and win despite what people said,” Powell said. “We were superb. This is a special group of boys and we have a great opportunity ahead of us next week.”
The result leaves Wakefield within one victory of their first league title since 1968 and produces the first Grand Final to not feature any of Leeds, Wigan or St Helens. Warrington, the club that sacked Powell in 2023, now stand between Wakefield and the title.
Around 5,000 Wakefield supporters travelled to the tie and celebrated at full-time; next Saturday at Old Trafford the Trinity will face Warrington in the Super League Grand Final.