Super League stunned as history beckons following Wakefield Trinity’s upset over Wigan Warriors

Wakefield Trinity produced one of the biggest upsets in Super League play-off history as they dominated Wigan Warriors in the second half to progress to the Grand Final.

Trinity progressed to Old Trafford thanks to a 33-6 win, one that will forever be remembered due to the nature of Wakefield’s dominance in the second half.

The biggest takeaway of the match is not necessarily anything directly from the game but more so the confirmation that we will get a new name on the Super League trophy, with both Warrington and Wakefield having never won the Grand Final before.

After an intense start, it was Wigan who scored first as Brad O’Neill powered over shortly after Jazz Tevaga’s sin bin and the fear was that Wakefield would implode. That certainly wasn’t the case as Wakefield recuperated and levelled the scores through Tom Johnstone, before a Max Jowitt penalty put them 8-6 up at the break.

An Adam Keighran sin bin then changed the game as Wakefield scored three in seven minutes with Johnstone, Jack Sinfield and Corey Hall all crossing over, shortly before Ky Rodwell crashed over for a fourth try in just 13 minutes – opening up a four-try lead.

Wigan threw plenty at Wakefield in the final 20 minutes but Trinity saw the game out masterfully, with Mason Lino even adding a 74th minute drop goal before a Max Jowitt penalty helped them seal their date with Warrington at Old Trafford next Saturday evening.

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Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity talking points

History in the making

This time next week, there will be a new name on the Super League trophy. That’s something that did not happen for 20 years until Hull KR made history in 2025 and now just one year later, we’re set to get another new name.

Warrington or Wakefield will win the 2026 Super League Grand Final in a story that is massive for Super League and the competition’s history. It will mark Warrington’s fifth Grand Final appearance but a first since 2018, whereas it is Wakefield’s first-ever time at Old Trafford.

Playing in the Championship Grand Final just two years ago, Wakefield are now 80 minutes away from winning the biggest prize in English rugby league – a quite remarkable transformation.

Pack point made

Jazz Tevaga made quite the statement this week when he told Serious About Rugby League’s sister site The Yorkshire Post that he doesn’t fear Wigan’s pack at all, claiming Wakefield are stronger in the middle.

It was a very bold statement, one that could have backfired spectacularly, but it’s fair to say that he was right. Wakefield were unbelievable through the middle and barring his own sin bin, Tevaga was magnificent.

After Warrington struggled against Leeds’ pack on Friday night, a pack that many would agree is not as big or as powerful as Wakefield’s, could we see a repeat of this dominance next week at Old Trafford?

A tale of two sin bins

Friday night’s game came down to a contentious penalty but today’s match came down to two sin bins and how teams dealt with being a man down.

Jazz Tevaga was sent to the bin for a trip after 15 minutes, something that stopped all of Wakefield’s momentum but was perhaps hard to argue against. From there, Wigan scored and you feared the floodgates would open but Trinity held strong and only conceded six points.

In stark contrast, Adam Keighran was sent to the sin bin for a late tip tackle and Wigan simply collapsed. Tom Johnstone scored a minute later in the channel where Keighran would have been defending before Jack Sinfield and Corey Hall crossed over, for a third try in just seven minutes.

That capitalisation by Wakefield and capitulation by Wigan was not where the game was won and lost, Wakefield had already put the hard work in through their pack, but that ten minute period was where they reaped the rewards in quite spectacular fashion.

Daryl Powell masterclass

Powell has never won a Grand Final, it’s one of the few things that eludes him in his incredible career as a head coach, but he’s now within touching distance of winning a first one and you have to say his decisions were massive in making that happen.

Playing Jack Sinfield over Mason Lino was a huge call but Sinfield helped run the show for Trinity, even scoring the try that put them two converted scores ahead and truly gave them hope.

Moreover, his interchanges were once again masterful, as they have been for much of the season. Hamlin-Uele and Faatili changed the game with their introduction, with Wakefield rediscovering their early success when the pair came on.

Many thought Wigan, who had won 16 in a row, were unbeatable. Daryl Powell saw that script and tore it up to oversee one of the best-ever Super League play-off performances.

THEY’VE DONE IT 😤

Trinity are heading to the Grand Final for the first time in their history ⚜️#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/2vBCbNb1tv

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 26, 2026