England’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Rugby League World Cup are hanging by a thread already after succumbing to a shock defeat to Tonga in their opening match.
The pre-tournament talk from England was how they would approach the international game with a clear point of difference in an attempt to beat the world’s best nations. There was certainly plenty of intent and enterprising attacking play but, for all the discussion of change, the one thing that matters the most has remained the same: the result.
Brian McDermott’s side were the architects of their own downfall in Perth. They dominated large periods against Tonga but as in last autumn’s Ashes, failed to convert periods of pressure into points. By contrast, Tonga were much more clinical when it mattered, scoring four tries to England’s two to pick up a crucial victory.
Such is the complex format of this year’s World Cup, England are now already relying on favours – perhaps even miracles – elsewhere. Only the top two from a combined six-team table featuring the nations in Groups B and C will reach the semi-finals. This defeat means England will need to win their remaining two games and hope Tonga then beat Samoa.
That would then mean England have to put heavy scores on Papua New Guinea and France in their remaining two matches to stand any chance. Failure to reach the semi-finals would be damning for English rugby league, not least because it would be the first time in the history of the Rugby League World Cup they have not made at least the last four.
McDermott’s promise of enterprising England play showed promise early on in Perth. There was no shortage second-phase rugby and it did put Tonga on the back foot in the opening thirty minutes. But like a year ago against Australia, George Williams and Harry Smith could not provide the telling play from half-back.
Painfully, with Tonga’s first real attacking opportunity, they went ahead. The outstanding Isaiya Katoa’s deft pass for Stefano Utoikamanu sent the Melbourne Storm forward through a huge gap and Katoa then not only converted the try, but added tow penalties to put Tonga in control by the break.
That felt slightly harsh on England, in truth. But for all their dominance, they had failed to capitalise when it mattered and even at such an early stage, they had to score first after the restart. They duly obliged five minutes into the second half when Hugo Savala’s wonderful break teed up AJ Brimson for his first Test try.
That swung the moment England’s way. They looked likely to be the side to score next too, with Tonga struggling to make inroads, but a crucial penalty conceded by Sam Walters relieved the pressure. Not only that, it laid the platform for them to score a gamechanging try.
Katoa did the damage again with a clever kick, and Haumole Olakau’atu touched down. Three minutes later, Tonga struck a devastating blow as Tuimoala Lolohea caught England out with a kick once again, allowing Toluta’u Koula to touch down. Suddenly, England were in big trouble.
They threatened a grandstand finale when Dom Young finished a slick move in the corner but with 10 minutes left, Tonga re-established control through Olaka’atu’s second before another wonderful move in the final moments saw Koula claim a brace. What felt like mission improbable before the tournament, sadly already feels like it has become mission: impossible.
Meanwhile, England’s women warmed up for their blockbuster clash against the reigning world champions, Australia, with an eye-catching win over Wales in their opening match at the Rugby League World Cup.
All eyes are on the English to see whether they can provide a competitive challenge to the all-conquering Jillaroos when they meet in Perth to decide who wins Group A, after both won their opening games at a canter.
Anna Davies and the debutant Connie Boyd scored hat-tricks for England, with Izzy Rowe scoring twice and finishing with a personal points haul of 26 as Stuart Barrow’s side won 70-6 with an emphatic display.
