AP
England Tonga Rugby League
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is seen as Team Tonga perform the Sipi Tau prior to the Men's Rugby League World Cup Group A match between England and Tonga in Perth, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.
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Tonga has pulled off a stunner at the Rugby League World Cup by beating England 30-12. It was another shock result against a Pacific island nation for the English, who were beaten by Samoa in the semifinals on home soil in 2022. It was the first of third-ranked England’s three group-stage games and immediately jeopardizes its progress to the semifinals. England has games still to come against France and Papua New Guinea. Tonga had never previously beaten England.