England’s 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener went south, big time, with a crushing 30-12 loss to Tonga in Perth, immediately putting their tournament hopes on the ropes. Forget easing into the competition, because after that showing, coach Brian McDermott’s squad is staring down a must-win scenario for their next two games if they want any shot at keeping their World Cup dream alive.
How The Wheels Fell Off Against Tonga
Man, that game was a tough watch for England fans. They were arguably the better side for the first twenty minutes of both halves, creating chances, looking like they were going to assert dominance. But then the wheels just fell off. We saw a parade of mistakes, from ugly handling errors to completely needless offloads, and honestly, some sloppy penalties that just handed Tonga the momentum. You can’t give a team ranked fifth in the world that kind of gift. By the time Haumole Olakau’atu crashed over for Tonga’s fourth try, making it 30-12, it was pretty clear it was over. This was a Tonga side absolutely stacked with Australian National Rugby League players, and they beat England for the first time in seven meetings. That sting has to burn.
McDermott’s Bold Take and The Rocky Road Ahead
Coach Brian McDermott, in his first match in charge since taking over in April, wasn’t pulling any punches about the errors. “It was a really good contest, when it wasn’t it was down to us and the errors we made,” he said after the game. He insisted they “stood toe to toe for nearly all the game,” but admitted the errors came from “chasing the scoreboard.” He’s calling it something he “can change,” and even went so far as to say, “I’m not going to say it’s an easy fix, but it’s something I can change.” He’s trying to find the positives, claiming “We were not strategically outdone” and that there are “tonnes of positives” to take away, but losing possession is definitely one of those “one or two things we must get rid of.”
Here’s the kicker, though: McDermott has been handed a seriously tough gig. This was England’s first game since November 2025, and they haven’t won a match since November 2024 against Samoa. They didn’t even play a warm-up game before the World Cup. That lack of preparation is absolutely brutal, and it’s out of McDermott’s hands. What isn’t out of his control, though, is team selection and tactics. He chose Harry Smith and captain George Williams as his central pairing, and Williams had what was called “one of his poorest games in an England shirt.” AJ Brimson scored England’s first try at full-back, but he also got caught out of position for Tonga’s fourth. McDermott plainly stated, “You cannot play with freedom at international level, you have to keep hold of the ball,” and his side looked nervous, passing the buck instead of running hard.
What’s Next: Time For Action, Not Just Words
Captain George Williams himself acknowledged the struggles, saying, “we left three or four [opportunities] out there early doors” and that “We lost our way, we were erratic, we must find that balance to improve the team.” He’s right, they can’t be “kicking stones” now. McDermott said he’ll “have a look” at his options regarding selection, and you gotta expect changes are coming. The team for the next game against France will be named on Tuesday. They absolutely *have* to win that one and their subsequent match to have any chance of advancing. This isn’t just about fixing a few errors; this is about showing up and proving they belong in this World Cup.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by BBC Sport.
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