68-point swing and a Tonga win – how England avoid World Cup exit

England kept their Rugby League World Cup semi-final hopes alive with an 82-0 win over France, but must beat Papua New Guinea and rely on Tonga beating Samoa. The result matters because England could miss the semi-finals for the first time in their World Cup history.

England’s points difference is +64, while Samoa’s is +132, a 68-point gap. If Tonga win, England need to beat Papua New Guinea by at least 68 points to guarantee going through; a smaller victory means they also need Tonga to win by enough to lift England above Samoa. A Samoa win or a draw would eliminate England, who lost 32-10 to Tonga in their opening match.