Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves are set to clash in a crucial play-off semi-final on Friday, with both teams aiming to secure a place in the 2026 Super League Grand Final. This match marks the first of two semi-finals, with Leeds hosting Warrington after finishing second in the regular season and earning a bye week. However, Leeds will be without key players, including captain Ash Handley, who is out with a back injury, and Lachie Miller, sidelined by a hamstring injury. Centre Jack Bird also misses the game, with 20-year-old Fergie McCormack stepping in for his fourth career start. Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform despite recent inconsistencies. "We have to be the best version of us," Arthur said. "We've seen that plenty of times this year and we've played a lot of good footy." The team used their bye week effectively, conducting a simulated game session on Friday and preparing fresh players for the match on Monday. Warrington Wolves earned their place in the semi-final by defeating reigning champions Hull KR in their eliminator match, with Matty Ashton scoring a hat-trick in a 35-12 victory. Warrington’s head coach, Sam Burgess, emphasized a hands-off coaching approach, saying, "We just stay out of the way. We don't need to overdo anything, we leave them to it." Burgess also noted the team’s focus is on the current game, stating, "It's not part of our psyche. We're really focused internally at the moment." Leeds last reached a Grand Final in 2022 under coach Rohan Smith, who led the team to 11 wins from 13 matches. This year, Arthur believes his team is prepared for the challenges of a post-season campaign. "We're ready to go. We're nice and fresh and the best version of us, we know, is good enough," he said. Warrington, despite finishing third in the regular season, has shown strong form in their last 11 matches, with nine wins. Coach Burgess acknowledged the team’s recent success but urged humility, saying, "We're staying pretty humble now. Hard work will get us where we'd like to go." The winner of this semi-final will advance to the Grand Final, which is scheduled for 3 October. Both teams are now focused on delivering their best performance in what promises to be a highly competitive match.