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19 hours ago
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September is upon us and the business end of the Super League season is here – but if you squinted your eyes on Saturday evening as Wigan Warriors waltzed their way towards another trophy, you would have been forgiven for thinking we were already in October watching the eventual champions in the grand final.
Matt Peet’s team have, for the most part during his five years in charge, made it their business to flex their muscles when it matters most. A ninth trophy within that period is now tantalisingly within reach, as victory against Catalans on Friday would confirm the League Leaders’ Shield and leg two of what could be a domestic treble in 2026.
Against Leeds on Saturday evening it was quintessential Wigan, a super-charged version of the team who won the quadruple in 2024 as they dismantled the Rhinos in what was effectively a shootout for top spot, winning 40-8.
More fool anyone who questioned what this Wigan team were capable of in spring after back‑to‑back defeats against Castleford and Warrington. The best teams always have a knack of holding a little bit back for when the stakes are at their highest, and how the Warriors did that at Headingley.
Leeds have led the way for 17 of the previous 25 rounds. Wigan have not been top since March. But champion teams deal in being at the summit when it matters.
Wigan displayed defensive brilliance to keep the competition’s highest-scoring team to a solitary try, coupled with killer instinct at critical moments – with Bevan French now surely solidifying himself as one of the most must‑see players in Super League’s 30-year history.
The odds are still short on a rematch at Old Trafford next month but Wigan and Leeds – themselves all but mathematically assured of a top-two finish – will first both have semi-final hurdles to clear. But there is still plenty to iron out elsewhere on the final weekend of the regular season before we know the semi-final lineup.
Wakefield and Leigh will effectively face off on Friday night for home advantage in the opening round of the playoffs, with the victors likely to host the other in week one. Warrington Wolves’ slip‑up at Wakefield on Saturday afternoon means they will have to settle for third and a likely showdown with the defending champions, Hull KR.
However, should Rovers beat St Helens – whose 64-year run of making the playoffs is now officially over – then they could move up to fifth and play Wakefield, providing Trinity defeat Leigh. That quartet from third to sixth then have the daunting task of winning at either Leeds or Wigan to reach the grand final.
There are also some narratives to follow at the bottom. There is no automatic relegation for the team finishing 14th but a four‑way squabble to avoid the wooden spoon is in play with one round to go with Hull FC, Castleford Tigers, Huddersfield Giants and Bradford Bulls the contenders. All are assured their spot in Super League in 2027 via the IMG gradings system, incidentally.
But there is pride to be had, not least at Hull FC who were humiliated in Toulouse on Friday evening and now risk finishing bottom for the first time in the summer era. That would serve as an embarrassment for a club who are still one of Super League’s biggest spenders. Hull have a daunting trip to a wounded Leeds on Friday.
However, the two notable omissions from the wooden spoon race are Toulouse and York Knights. Both were promoted at the last minute last year as part of the decision to extend Super League to 14 teams, and both were given half the central funding of the other teams because of that expansion. With a paltry £650,000 of funding, both have ensured they will not end the season bottom.
That is a fantastic achievement for two expansion clubs who have shown there is life outside the heartlands. They are also the two most under threat of losing their place in Super League through the IMG gradings, published next month. Should either go, it would be a horrendous look for the game given how both have performed.
By the release of the gradings in mid-October, we will know our champions for 2026. There will still be twists and turns ahead in the final month but, based on what we have seen of late, back against Wigan at your peril.
