Sports
England stunned by Tonga in Rugby League World Cup opener
October 17, 2026 at 12:28 PM · Updated 6m ago
Coverage
3 reports · over 6 hours
TGThe Guardian
England stunned as Tonga tonking leaves Rugby League World Cup hopes in shreds
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Men's Rugby League World Cup: England stunned by Tonga in opener
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Women's Rugby League World Cup: England crush debutants Wales in Perth
(opens the publisher’s site)England lost their opening Men's Rugby League World Cup match 30-12 to Tonga in Perth, leaving their semi-final hopes in jeopardy.
- Tonga scored four tries to England's two, with Haumole Olakau'atu crossing twice and Isaiya Katoa starring with conversions and penalties.
- England must now win their remaining group games against France and Papua New Guinea, and hope Tonga beats Samoa, to reach the semi-finals.
- Co-hosts Papua New Guinea beat Lebanon 42-18 in the other men's Group B-C match.
- England's women opened their campaign with a 70-6 victory over Wales.
- Anna Davies and Connie Boyd each scored hat-tricks as England ran in 13 tries against Wales in their opener.