
Tonga's 30-12 Upset Leaves England's Rugby League World Cup Hopes in Doubt
England suffered a 30-12 defeat to Tonga in their 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener in Perth, a result that has severely complicated their qualification prospects. Despite controlling early possession, England's handling errors and lack of finishing precision allowed Tonga to dominate the second half. Coach Brian McDermott insists the team can recover, but they must now win their next two matches against France and Papua New Guinea while hoping for favorable results elsewhere in the complex group format.









