Wakefield head coach Daryl Powell was left hailing an "exceptional" performance after his side romped into their first ever grand final where they'll face Sam Burgess-coached Warrington, ensuring there'll be a first-time winner of European rugby league's biggest prize.
Wakefield ruthlessly capitalised on former Sydney Rooster Keighran's card, awarded for his late tackle on Isaiah Vagana in which he also lifted up the New Zealander in the tackle.
It prompted the underdogs to score three tries in 10 minutes through Tom Johnstone, Jack Sinfield and Corey Hall while centre Keighran was in the sin-bin to move towards the Old Trafford showdown with Powell's former club, Warrington.
"The performance from the boys was exceptional. We knew we had to play that well to beat Wigan, so to come here and do what we did is an awesome feeling," said Powell.
Trinity are now 80 minutes away from capping a remarkable revival following their relegation from the top flight in 2023.
"I felt like relegation was good for us in some ways," recalled Powell. "We brought in some good players and we've grown immeasurably over the last couple of years. We're such a talented group and we just kept adding here and there to get better.
Wigan head coach Matt Peet had no excuses after watching his side's bid to move a step closer to a domestic treble dismantled by an inspired Trinity performance.
"All credit in the world to Wakefield and to Daryl. We were outplayed, out-coached and they beat us all ends up. It hurts, but you've got to take the highs and the lows and move forward."
Peet refused to pin any blame on Keighran, who had earlier in the week been short-listed for British rugby league's top individual prize, the Man of Steel award.
"Adam has had some unbelievable moments for us across the last few years," added Peet.
"You don't get every night your own way and he couldn't have tried any harder."
England winger Johnstone had earlier replied to Brad O'Neill's opener for Wigan while Ky Rodwell added Wakefield's fifth try as Trinity registered 33 unanswered points after being 6-0 down.
