England suffer early defeat to Tonga in Rugby League World Cup

Summarised from 3 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 17 Oct, 12:57 · Archive

England lost 30-12 to Tonga in their opening Rugby League World Cup match in Perth.

England suffered a 30-12 defeat to Tonga in their opening Rugby League World Cup match in Perth, with their hopes of reaching the semi-finals now hanging by a thread.

Brian McDermott's side dominated large periods but failed to convert their pressure into points. Tonga, by contrast, were clinical when it mattered, scoring four tries to England's two. Dolphins half-back Isaiya Katoa masterminded the victory and contributed a crucial 14 points with the boot. England's full-back AJ Brimson was turned inside out by Katoa's play.

England reached half-time trailing 10-0 after failing to break through Tonga's rearguard despite sustained pressure. The South Sea islanders exposed England's weaknesses after the interval to gain emphatic revenge for three test defeats to England in the UK in 2023.

The World Cup's complex format means England now realistically need to win their remaining two group games against Papua New Guinea and France, and also require Tonga to beat Samoa, to stand any chance of reaching the semi-finals. This would be England's first failure to reach at least the last four in Rugby League World Cup history.

How it is being reported

• England’s Rugby League World Cup hopes in tatters after Tonga defeatEngland’s Rugby League World Cup hopes in tatters after Tonga defeatThe Telegraph · 17 Oct, 12:43
• England stunned as Tonga tonking leaves Rugby League World Cup hopes hanging by a threadPool B: England 12-30 Tonga England women thump Wales 70-6 England’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Rugby League World Cup are hanging by a thread already after succumbing to a shock defeat to Tonga in their opening match. The pre-tournament talk from England was how they would approach the international game with a clear point of difference in an attempt to beat the world’s best nations. There was certainly plenty of intent and enterprising attacking play but, for all the discussion of change, the one thing that matters the most has remained the same: the result. Continue…Guardian Sport · 17 Oct, 12:35
• England suffer early blow to Rugby League World Cup hopes with loss to TongaBrian McDermott’s men were undone by the brilliance of Dolphins half-back Isaiya Katoa.Independent Sport · 17 Oct, 12:26
• England’s Rugby League World Cup hopes already hang by a thread after brutal Tonga defeatEngland 12-30 Tonga: Chances of reaching the semi-finals already look slim after a comprehensive defeat in the World Cup openerIndependent Sport · 17 Oct, 12:24
• England suffer early blow to Rugby League World Cup hopes with loss to TongaBrian McDermott’s men were undone by the brilliance of Dolphins half-back Isaiya Katoa.Independent Sport · 17 Oct, 12:20

In this story: England · Tonga · Brian McDermott · Isaiya Katoa · AJ Brimson · Perth · Papua New Guinea · France

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