Rugby League World Cup 2026: England need Tonga to beat Samoa by 47 as Kiwis and Kangaroos run riot
England beat PNG 34-12 but need Tonga to beat Samoa by 47 or more on Sunday. New Zealand beat Fiji 78-0 and Australia beat the Cook Islands 66-6.
England face their first group-stage exit in Rugby League World Cup history. They beat Papua New Guinea 34-12 in Wollongong on Friday 30 October, but they now need Tonga to beat Samoa by 47 points or more on Sunday to reach the semi-finals. On Saturday the two favourites both won heavily: New Zealand beat Fiji 78-0 and Australia beat the Cook Islands 66-6 to finish top of Pool A.
England's win was not enough
England's defeat to Tonga in the opening match, 30-12, has left them relying on other results. They then beat France 82-0, but went into Friday's game 68 points behind Samoa on points difference and needed to win by about 70 to qualify on their own.
England scored four first-half tries through Matty Ashton, AJ Brimson, Dom Young and Harry Smith. PNG scored two second-half tries through Dudley Dotoi and Gairo Voro before Morgan Knowles and Mikey Lewis scored late for England. The 22-point winning margin left England well short of the total they needed.
Coach Brian McDermott said "something remarkable is going to have to happen" for England to go through. NRL.com and ESPN both put the target for Tonga at a win by 47 points or more. Samoa beat Tonga 34-6 at last year's Pacific Championships, which shows how unlikely that margin is.
Kiwis and Kangaroos dominate
New Zealand led Fiji 48-0 at half-time at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast and finished 78-0 winners to reach the semi-finals. Jahrome Hughes, Keano Kini, Casey McLean and Dane Gagai all scored early tries. Referee Grant Atkins sent off two players: Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo for a high tackle, and Fiji halfback Brandon Wakeham for punching Mulitalo while he was on the ground. Mulitalo may miss the semi-final if he is suspended.
In Townsville, Australia beat the Cook Islands 66-6 to finish Pool A unbeaten. Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic both scored hat-tricks, and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui scored twice. Rue Ngatikaura scored the Cook Islands' only try.
Sunday's deciders in Malaysia time
Both of Sunday's final group games are at CommBank Stadium in Sydney:
- Lebanon v France: 6.40am GMT, which is 2.40pm Malaysia time
- Tonga v Samoa: 9.05am GMT, which is 5.05pm Malaysia time
The runner-up from the combined Pool B/C plays Australia in Sydney on 8 November, and New Zealand play a semi-final in Newcastle. The final is at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, on 15 November.
Key takeaways
- England beat PNG 34-12 but need Tonga to beat Samoa by 47 or more to reach the semi-finals.
- Without that result, England go out in the group stage for the first time at a World Cup.
- New Zealand beat Fiji 78-0, and both teams had a player sent off.
- Australia beat the Cook Islands 66-6 and finished top of Pool A unbeaten.
- Tonga v Samoa kicks off at 5.05pm Malaysia time on Sunday 1 November.
FAQ
What do England need to qualify for the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals? They need Tonga to beat Samoa by 47 points or more on Sunday so that England overtake Samoa on points difference.
When is Tonga v Samoa in Malaysia time? It kicks off at 9.05am GMT, which is 5.05pm Malaysia time on Sunday 1 November.
When is the Rugby League World Cup final? On 15 November at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Sources: Sky Sports, NRL.com, ESPN, ABC News