Tonga beat Samoa 20-18 in Sydney to top their group as England are knocked out of the World Cup

Tonga won the Pacific derby that settled their World Cup group, beating Samoa 20-18 at CommBank Stadium in Sydney on Sunday 1 November. Addin Fonua-Blake scored the winning try with about eight minutes left. A record crowd of 29,411 watched, and the result ended England's tournament. England needed Tonga to win by 47 points or more to overtake Samoa on points difference.

How Tonga edged a tight derby

Samoa scored four tries to Tonga's three, but goal-kicking decided the match. Isaiya Katoa converted all three Tonga tries and added a penalty goal. Samoa converted only one of their four tries.

Robert Toia opened the scoring for Tonga with a solo try from about 45 metres in the first half. Brian To'o replied just before half-time, after a flick pass from Stephen Crichton. Jojo Fifita scored early in the second half to put Tonga back in front.

Samoa then took control. To'o scored his second try, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Ronald Volkman also crossed, putting Samoa ahead 18-14. Fonua-Blake's try in the 72nd minute, converted by Katoa, made it 20-18 to Tonga.

The ending was tense. Sua Fa'alogo looked to have a chance on the left edge but was ruled to have touched the sideline. In the final minute, Tabuai-Fidow's pass to Fa'alogo was ruled forward, and Tonga held on to finish the group stage unbeaten.

England's historic exit

England had beaten France 82-0 and Papua New Guinea in their later matches, but their opening 30-12 defeat by Tonga cost them. In this 10-team format only the top two in each group go through, so a Samoa loss by anything less than 47 points was enough to keep Samoa second. Sky Sports noted that England had reached the last four at each of the previous six World Cups, which makes this group-stage exit a heavy blow. The tournament was reduced from 16 teams after France withdrew as hosts, and Australia took over hosting.

Semi-final line-up and Malaysia times

• Saturday 7 November: New Zealand v Tonga, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, 8.05pm AEDT (5.05pm Malaysia time).
• Sunday 8 November: Australia v Samoa, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 8.05pm AEDT (5.05pm Malaysia time).

Australia v Samoa repeats the 2022 final. The winners meet in the final at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on Sunday 15 November at 6.35pm AEST, which is 4.35pm in Malaysia.

Samoa have an injury worry. Chanel Harris-Tavita went off with a hamstring problem in the second half and looks unlikely to face the Kangaroos.

Key takeaways

• Tonga beat Samoa 20-18 before a record 29,411 crowd at CommBank Stadium.
• Goal-kicking decided it: Katoa kicked four from four, while Samoa converted one of four tries.
• England are eliminated in the group stage for the first time in seven World Cups.
• The semi-finals are New Zealand v Tonga and Australia v Samoa, both at 5.05pm Malaysia time.

FAQ

What was the score in Tonga v Samoa at the Rugby League World Cup? Tonga won 20-18 in Sydney on 1 November 2026. Addin Fonua-Blake scored the winning try.

Why were England knocked out? Only the top two in the group qualified. After losing to Tonga, England needed Tonga to beat Samoa by at least 47 points to finish second on points difference.

When are the 2026 World Cup semi-finals in Malaysia time? New Zealand v Tonga is on Saturday 7 November and Australia v Samoa is on Sunday 8 November. Both kick off at 5.05pm Malaysia time.

Sources: NRL.com, Sky Sports, AAP, Zero Tackle, RNZ