Rugby League World Cup 2026: England lose to Tonga — SkimNews
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- Australia defeated New Zealand 24-22 in the men's tournament opener on October 15, setting the tone for the defending champions' campaign.
- England men lost 30-12 to Tonga in their group stage debut and face France on October 24 in a crucial rebound opportunity.
- England women launched their title bid with a dominant 70-6 victory over Wales and meet Australia on October 24 in a marquee matchup.
- Papua New Guinea hosted multiple matches, including a 42-18 win over Lebanon, as co-hosts alongside Australia and New Zealand.
- The wheelchair tournament begins October 30 with England facing Wales, while England currently holds the world title in the discipline.
- The men's format features a split structure: Group A plays within itself, while Groups B and C compete in a combined table to determine semi-finalists.
Why it matters: England’s men must quickly recover from their loss to Tonga to stay competitive in a format where cross-group results directly impact semi-final qualification, raising the stakes of their October 24 match against France. A slip-up could eliminate them before the knockout stage.
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