England Rugby League Faces Tough Road After Loss to Tonga

England's rugby league team faced a disappointing start to their 2026 World Cup campaign, losing 30-12 to Tonga in Perth. Despite being ranked third in the world, England struggled with errors that allowed Tonga to dominate the match.

The game saw Tonga capitalize on England's mistakes, including handling errors and penalties, leading to a decisive victory. Haumole Olakau'atu's fourth try sealed the win for Tonga, who celebrated their first victory over England in seven encounters.

Brian McDermott, England's coach, acknowledged the team's errors and emphasized the need for improvement ahead of their next matches against France and Papua New Guinea. England must secure wins in these games to maintain a chance of advancing in the tournament, with the complex group stage format adding to the pressure.