Spirited England exit World Cup after Samoa loss
England’s women were knocked out of the Rugby League World Cup at the group stage after losing to Samoa, ending a run of four consecutive semi-final appearances. The defeat followed a heavy loss to Australia and showed the gap England still need to close, despite the team’s focus on building for the next tournament.
Samoa’s Freedom Crichton Ropati scored three tries, with Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Fanua Rimoni also crossing, in a match where Samoa held a strong territorial advantage. Evie Cousins scored England’s try after a break by Hollie-Mae Dodd, but a promising attack later broke down before Samoa sealed the result. England’s squad included 11 players aged 23 or under, while captain Jodie Cunningham’s tournament marked the end of a career spanning 38 caps and four World Cups.
In short
- England exited the World Cup at the group stage.
- Samoa won with five tries, including a hat-trick from Crichton Ropati.
- England’s rebuilding effort now looks towards 2030.
Explained simply
The women’s Rugby League World Cup is an international tournament in which national teams compete in rugby league, a contact sport played with 13 players a side. England are one of the established teams, while Samoa are among the nations seeking to make their mark in the competition.
England’s recent record included four straight appearances in the semi-finals, and the team had a relatively young squad, with 11 players aged 23 or under. Captain Jodie Cunningham had represented England at four World Cups across a 38-cap career.
The tournament gives teams a chance to measure themselves against the leading sides and build experience for future competitions. England’s campaign raised questions about the gap between them and stronger opposition, while the younger players gained experience on the international stage.