Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Tonga beat Samoa 20-18 as England exit Rugby League World Cup
Tonga beat Samoa 20-18 in the final group match of the men’s Rugby League World Cup in Sydney.
The result confirmed England’s elimination on points difference, despite the team winning two of its three group games.
England needed Tonga to beat Samoa by at least 46 points, according to one account, while another said the margin had to be 47 or more.
A 30-12 loss to Tonga in England’s opening match left them needing a huge points swing to reach the last four.
It is the first time England or Great Britain will miss the semi-finals, according to one account.
Tonga will meet New Zealand in the semi-finals, while Samoa will face Australia in a repeat of the 2022 final.
Tonga beat Samoa 20-18 in the final group match of the Rugby League World Cup.
The result confirmed England’s elimination on points difference, despite England winning two of its three matches.
Tonga will face New Zealand in the semi-finals, while Samoa will play Australia.
England needed Tonga to win by a large margin to advance, but the match ended with only a two-point difference.
- Who
- Tonga and Samoa, with England affected by the result.
- What
- Tonga beat Samoa 20-18, confirming England’s elimination from the tournament.
- When
- 1 November 2026. The match was the final group game.
- Where
- CommBank Stadium, according to the Guardian; the live coverage described the match as taking place in Sydney.
- Why
- England needed Tonga to beat Samoa by a large margin to progress on points difference.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
England had won two of its three matches but needed Tonga to beat Samoa by a large margin to advance.
Tonga beat Samoa 20-18, confirming England’s elimination.
Tonga was set to face New Zealand, while Samoa was set to play Australia in the semi-finals.
- Final score
- Tonga 20-18 Samoa
- England’s record
- Two wins in three matches
- England’s required margin
- Sources differ: Sky Sports and the Independent say 46 points; the Guardian says 47 points or more
- Tonga’s semi-final opponent
- New Zealand
- Samoa’s semi-final opponent
- Australia
5 sources
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