England’s Men’s Rugby League World Cup campaign has collapsed into a historic low, with both the men’s and women’s squads eliminated from the semi-finals for the first time in tournament history. The men’s side suffered a hollow 34-12 victory over Papua New Guinea, a result that fell drastically short of the massive margin required to progress. Their fate now hinges on a mathematical impossibility, as they need Tonga to beat Samoa by more than 46 points on Sunday to survive. This outcome marks the end of a continuous run of semi-final appearances that began with Great Britain in the inaugural 1954 tournament, signaling a pivotal and painful turning point for the sport’s premier nation.
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The women’s campaign crumbled earlier in the day, as they were dismantled 24-6 by Samoa in a decisive pool match. Lacking the physical power and tactical nous to compete at the elite level, England’s women failed to secure a spot in the last four, compounding the national embarrassment. The simultaneous elimination of both teams underscores a systemic failure across the entire rugby league structure in England. While the men’s loss was technical and margin-based, the women’s defeat was a stark display of competitive inferiority, highlighting that the issues extend beyond a single squad to the broader development and preparation infrastructure.
At the heart of the men’s disappointment lies the controversial appointment of Brian McDermott, who took charge as head coach in April with no competitive matches to prepare for before the World Cup commenced. This compressed timeline left the squad ill-prepared for the intensity of international competition, leading to a lack of cohesion and strategic clarity on the field. The “set up to fail” narrative is no longer just a headline; it is a reality defined by rushed preparation and a lack of meaningful pre-tournament fixtures. As the obituaries for this campaign are written, the focus shifts to how the Rugby Football League can rebuild a program that has lost its competitive edge and historical dominance.
Source: BBC Sport
