World Cup finalists England still feel short of best

England thrashed Australia 86-18 to reach their fifth consecutive Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup final, where they will face France on Friday. They are aiming to defend the title they won in 2022, but the players say there is room to improve before a match-up that has often been close.

Rob Hawkins scored five tries and added five conversions for 30 points, including a spectacular chase to score near the dead-ball line. Despite England scoring 15 tries, Hawkins rated the performance only six or seven out of ten. Nathan Collins, preparing for his third final, said England must stick to their coach’s plan; the final kicks off at 08:45 GMT at Wollongong’s WIN Entertainment Centre.