Tonga 30-12 England: World Cup Opener Shock in Perth

As thousands of Tonga supporters celebrated in the Perth stands, England were left to count the cost of a 30-12 defeat that turned their 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener into an immediate fight for survival.

England were arguably the better side for the first 20 minutes of each half. But handling errors, needless offloads and sloppy penalties handed Tonga momentum — and when Haumole Olakau'atu crashed over for the Pacific islanders' fourth try, the contest was done. It was Tonga's first win over England in seven meetings.

McDermott's impossible brief

This was Brian McDermott's first match in charge since replacing Shaun Wane in April — and his side had not played a single warm-up game. Their last fixture was November 2025; their last win, November 2024.

McDermott insists the picture is not as bleak as the scoreline. "We stood toe to toe for nearly all the game, but made errors chasing the scoreboard," he said. "I'm not going to say it's an easy fix, but it's something I can change. We were not strategically outdone."

Selection is where the questions bite: captain George Williams endured one of his poorest England games at half-back, and full-back AJ Brimson — picked ahead of Jack Welsby — scored a try but was caught out of position for Tonga's fourth. Expect changes for France on Saturday.

The maths ahead

The six-nation combined group format means one defeat is survivable — but only just. England must beat France next week and Papua New Guinea on 30 October to have a realistic chance of the semi-finals, and may then need points difference and favours elsewhere.

"We can't be kicking stones," Williams said. "One loss does not change how we think." It will have to be true — and quickly.