Tonga Lead Samoa in Crucial Clash as England Face World Cup Exit

Tonga are facing Samoa in a decisive Rugby League World Cup encounter, with the result set to determine the semi-final positions and potentially end England’s campaign.

The Group B-C contest is taking place at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, with both Pacific nations competing for top spot in the combined standings.

The stakes are high for all three teams. The winners will finish top of the group and face New Zealand in the semi-finals in Newcastle next Saturday, November 7. The runners-up will take on defending champions Australia in Sydney on Sunday, November 8.

England’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals are also hanging on the outcome. After defeating Papua New Guinea 34-12 in their final group match, England need Tonga to beat Samoa by at least 47 points to overcome their points-difference disadvantage.

A Tonga victory by a smaller margin, or a Samoa win, would confirm England’s elimination from the tournament.

The match follows a dramatic day of action at the Rugby League World Cup, which has already produced historic scores and a thrilling finish.

Australia’s women’s team recorded the biggest score in international rugby league history, defeating Wales 124-6 in their final Women’s World Cup Group A match.

In another closely contested encounter, Lebanon’s men’s team defeated France 24-20 in a remarkable golden-point finish.

France had forced the match into extra time when Arthur Mourgue scored in the closing seconds. Cesar Rouge subsequently appeared to have won it with a drop-goal, but the effort was ruled out. Lebanon then capitalised on a French mistake, with Abbas Miski scoring the decisive try.

With semi-final places at stake, the Tonga-Samoa encounter has become one of the tournament’s most important fixtures, while England wait to discover whether their World Cup journey will continue.