Arabic version: إنجلترا تواجه اختباراً حاسماً أمام تونغا في بيرث

According to The Guardian, England begin their Rugby League World Cup campaign against Tonga in Perth on Saturday in a match that could shape their route to the semi-finals and the wider standing of the European game.

The tournament has already featured a major crowd in Sydney for Australia’s opening-night win over New Zealand, while Samoa recorded a record victory against France. Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea have added to the event’s atmosphere, supported by passionate Pasifika fanbases. Decisions by leading NRL players to represent Pacific heritage nations rather than Australia or New Zealand have broadened the group of World Cup contenders.

England enter a shortened tournament in must-win territory. A victory over Tonga should leave the side well placed to reach the semi-finals, but defeat could leave progression dependent on other results and on Samoa, who beat England in the 2022 semi-finals. Failure to reach the last four would further underline concerns that England have slipped behind Samoa and Tonga in rugby league’s pecking order.

Head coach Brian McDermott has said England will approach the tournament differently after last year’s Ashes, when the Kangaroos were not tested enough. Captain George Williams said the players had bought into McDermott’s plans and suggested the side would show elements not seen before. England’s selection points to mobile forwards intended to create second-phase play for an attacking backline featuring Herbie Farnworth, Dom Young, Zach Eckersley, Junior Nsemba and Kai Pearce-Paul.

Williams described Tonga as a stacked team and said England would embrace being underdogs. England must also contend with a pro-Tongan crowd and a Mate Ma’a team with significant physicality. Although England have beaten Samoa and Tonga on home soil since the previous World Cup, their 2022 semi-final loss to Samoa remains a defining setback. A win in Perth would offer England and European rugby league a needed lift.