Spirited England out of World Cup after Samoa loss — SkimNews
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- England exited the Rugby League World Cup at the group stage after a 24-6 defeat to Samoa in Wollongong on Friday, despite a spirited second-half response.
- Stuart Barrow named a squad containing 11 players aged 23 or under, reflecting a focus on 2030 after four previous World Cup semi-finals, although the tournament's location remains unconfirmed.
- Hawkins scored 11 tries as England opened their World Cup campaign with a 70-6 rout of Wales, a result the source says had been anticipated before later defeats underlined the gulf in class.
- Freedom Crichton Ropati scored a hat-trick for Samoa, including two right-corner tries before the break, as Samoa enjoyed a huge territorial advantage.
- Mercedez Taulelei-Siala scored straight after half-time to extend Samoa's lead to 16-0, before Evie Cousins crossed for England and Isabel Rowe converted.
- Fanua Rimoni scored Samoa's fifth try after Fran Goldthorp's forward pass and England's failure to find touch from a penalty, sealing Samoa's place in the last four and a meeting with New Zealand.
- Jodie Cunningham ended a 38-cap, four-World Cup England career at age 34; the source frames her exit as a ray of hope but questions whether part-time players can become genuine contenders by 2030.
Why it matters: England's World Cup campaign ends in the group stage after four previous semi-finals, while 11 players aged 23 or under form the stated basis of their 2030 reset. Samoa advance to the last four and a New Zealand quarter-final; England, meanwhile, remain part-time players in a rapidly professionalising game.
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