Wakefield Trinity have reached the Super League semi-finals for the first time ever, and the people who believed it were the ones doing the believing.
Owner Matt Ellis, head of recruitment Ste Mills, and head coach Daryl Powell formed an inner sanctum that planned a steady path of signing raw talent, building a strong stadium presence, and delivering quick success. That plan has now borne fruit. Wakefield beat Leigh Leopards 26-16 in the Eliminators on Friday, September 18, and are through to their first ever Super League semi-final.
The Eliminators continue on Saturday, October 19, when Warrington Wolves host Hull KR at 5.30pm live on Sky Sports.
The Inner Sanctum’s Blueprint
When Wakefield returned to Super League for the 2025 season, few outside the club would have predicted a semi-final within two seasons. Inside the inner sanctum, though, the belief never wavered.
Ellis, Mills, and Powell worked together to craft a strategy for continual progress. They signed raw talent, turned it into stars, built a stadium that fans enjoy attending, and delivered the rapid success their most faithful had waited so long to see.
One example of that process is Caleb Hamlin-Uele. Wakefield spotted something in a player who was not breaking through in the NRL, brought him into the Championship, moulded him, and made him one of Super League’s best props. Now he is truly in contention to represent England at the World Cup this autumn.
The biggest success would be a trophy. For now, the achievement is the occasion itself.
The Match That Got Them There
Wakefield’s victory over Leigh was a team effort, but it was the forwards who did the heavy lifting. Their immense pack took control early in the second half, and even when Emre Guler was shown red on the hour mark for what appeared to be a punch, they had done enough to keep Leigh at arm’s length and see the game home.
The win sets up a semi-final against either Wigan Warriors or Leeds Rhinos. A win there would send Wakefield to the Theatre of Dreams, where they would try to complete their own final hurdle.
Powell’s Words After the Win
Powell spoke after the match, and his message was simple: the direction is set, and the team believes it can beat anyone.
“We are going to go where we are going to go. We are just going to prepare as best we can,” Powell said.
“I think we can beat anybody.”
“Wakefield have never won a play-off game – that is a box ticked.”
“Now it is whether we can win a Grand Final. We have two games to do something special.”
“It is difficult but doable.”
“You are one game away from getting to a Grand Final that would be huge for the club.”
“You have got to be excited by that. We are all excited about how good we can be as a team.”
“We will do everything we need to in order to give ourselves the best chance to do that.”
Powell knows what it takes. Back in 2017, he led Castleford to a remarkable rise, winning the League Leaders’ Shield and beating St Helens with a Luke Gale drop goal to reach Old Trafford. They could not complete the final hurdle.
Wakefield have two more hurdles to go.
The Semi-Finals Schedule
The semi-finals start on Friday, September 25, when Leeds Rhinos face TBC at 8pm on Sky Sports. The other semi-final follows on Saturday, September 26, with Wigan Warriors hosting TBC at 5.30pm on Sky Sports.
The Grand Final is at Old Trafford on October 3. For Wakefield, it is a two-game mission to do something special.
The Road So Far
Wakefield’s rise has been remarkable. The inner sanctum’s belief that raw potential can become greatness will have been achieved if Wakefield complete theirs.
Here is how the journey unfolded:
- Wakefield return to Super League for the 2025 season.
- The inner sanctum plans a steady path of signing raw talent.
- Caleb Hamlin-Uele is moulded into one of Super League’s best props.
- Wakefield win the Eliminators against Leigh Leopards.
- Wakefield reach their first ever Super League semi-final.
The schedule shows the remaining fixtures clearly:
| Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Friday, September 18 | Wakefield Trinity 26-16 Leigh Leopards |
| Saturday, September 19 | Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, KO 5.30pm on Sky Sports |
| Friday, September 25 | Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8pm KO on Sky Sports |
| Saturday, September 26 | Wigan Warriors v TBC, 5.30pm KO on Sky Sports |
| Sunday, October 3 | Grand Final at Old Trafford |
Wakefield have arrived at a moment that defines them. The inner sanctum’s belief has been tested, and it has held.
The trophy remains the goal, but the occasion is the achievement. Wakefield Trinity are through to their first ever Super League semi-final.
Source material: “How belief of Wakefield's inner sanctum led to history-making semi-final,” Sky Sports.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.