England's Men's Rugby League World Cup campaign is on the brink of elimination after a 34-12 win over Papua New Guinea failed to secure the necessary points margin. The women's team also exited, losing 24-6 to Samoa. This marks the first time neither England side reaches the semi-finals.
The men's campaign, which began with Great Britain in 1954, ended in disappointment due to injuries, poor travel logistics, and a challenging format. Head coach Brian McDermott, appointed just six months prior, faced a near-impossible task with limited preparation time and virtual meetings. Players endured a 48-hour journey to Perth, leaving them exhausted before their opener against Tonga.
McDermott called for more preparation time, but the tournament's scheduling and travel issues left England at a disadvantage. The northern hemisphere game lags behind the thriving NRL, and England's historic success at World Cups has faded. The campaign highlights deep-rooted problems in English rugby league, requiring significant investment and introspection to compete with southern hemisphere teams.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing