Wakefield Beat Wigan to Reach First Super League Grand Final
Wakefield Trinity secured a 33-6 victory against the Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Super League play-off semi-final, advancing to their first-ever Grand Final.
The Turning Point
Wigan entered the semi-final fixture on a 16-game winning run, having already secured the Challenge Cup and the League Leaders’ Shield earlier in the season. The hosts initially capitalized through a try from Brad O’Neill, converted by Adam Keighran, while Wakefield responded with an opening score from England winger Tom Johnstone.
The tactical momentum shifted decisively in the second half following a yellow card issued to Wigan centre Adam Keighran for a late tackle on Isaiah Vagana in the 46th minute. During Keighran’s time in the sin-bin, Wakefield exploited the numerical advantage to stretch their lead from two points to 18. Tom Johnstone crossed for his second try of the match, accompanied by scores from Jack Sinfield and Corey Hall. Ky Rodwell added a fifth try later in the half, while Max Jowitt contributed six goals and Mason Lino added a drop-goal to seal the 33-6 scoreline.
Historic Progress and the Grand Final Fixture
Wakefield’s progression to Old Trafford marks a stunning turnaround for a club that competed in the Championship as recently as 2024. Under the ownership of Matt Ellis and head coach Daryl Powell, Trinity have advanced to the title decider, where they will face the Warrington Wolves on Saturday, October 3. The defeat ended Wigan’s pursuit of a fourth consecutive Grand Final appearance.
The result guarantees a new name on the trophy. Since the first Super League Grand Final in 1998, only five clubs have won the title: Wigan, St Helens, Bradford Bulls, Leeds Rhinos, and Hull KR. Wakefield’s victory ensures a sixth name will be added to the honor roll, following Hull KR’s championship win in 2025.
Family Legacies and Match Details
Half-back Jack Sinfield is set to play in the Grand Final 11 years after his father, Sir Kevin Sinfield, made the last of his eight Grand Final appearances. Sir Kevin won seven titles with the Leeds Rhinos and is scheduled to deliver the match ball before the game to conclude a fundraising effort for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.
“Hopefully he’ll be there!” Jack Sinfield told BBC Two after the match. “He’s not here tonight because he’s starting in the morning, but I’m sure he’ll be watching and I can’t wait to see him next week. I’ve been there to Grand Finals a fair few times watching so it will be nice to do it the other way round and he can hopefully watch me win one.”
Match lineups for the semi-final fixture saw Wigan field Field, Daniel, Keighran, Eckersley, Marshall, French, Smith, Havard, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Partington, and Ellis, with interchanges from Farrell, Walters, Mago, and Kerr. Wakefield deployed Jowitt, Johnstone, Hall, Scott, Walmsley, Trueman, Sinfield, McMeeken, Smoothy, Rodwell, Lipowicz, Vagana, and Tevaga, with Lino, Pitts, Hamlin-Uele, and Faatili entering from the interchange bench. Referee Liam Moore officiated the encounter.