Warrington Wolves secured a place in the Grand Final after a narrow 14-12 victory over Leeds Rhinos in a closely contested semi-final on Saturday. The Wolves will compete at Old Trafford for the first time since 2018, with either Wigan Warriors or Wakefield Trinity set to be their opponents in the final next week.

Ewan Irwin, an 18-year-old player, played a decisive role for Warrington by successfully converting three key kicks during the match. His contributions complemented tries scored by James Bentley and Luke Yates, helping the Wolves maintain a slender lead throughout the game.

Leeds, dealing with several injuries, relied on standout performances from Jake Connor and Ryan Hall. Connor scored an impressive try and also had the opportunity to level the scores with a 62-metre penalty in the dying moments of the game, but his effort fell short, denying the Rhinos a chance to advance.

The match was marked by a controversial video referee decision late in the second half, with the score tied at 12-12 and about 15 minutes remaining. Video official Liam Rush supported referee Chris Kendall’s call to penalize James McDonnell for escorting George Williams away during play. The decision sparked debate, with Leeds coach Brad Arthur criticizing the call, stating that a penalty should not determine the outcome of such a significant contest.

Warrington’s head coach, Sam Burgess, tempered celebrations following the victory, emphasizing that the team’s focus remains on preparing for the Grand Final. "There’s nothing to celebrate about yet," Burgess said, adding that the squad intends to maintain a normal routine throughout the week to ensure they deliver their best performance on the big stage.

Warrington’s victory ends a 71-year wait for a championship and sets up a final showdown at Old Trafford next Saturday, where they will aim to claim their first title since 1950.