England begin their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign against a revamped Tonga side in Perth, with both nations harbouring genuine ambitions of making a deep run in the tournament. The Lions have introduced several fresh faces following last year’s Ashes triumph, while Tonga’s star-studded forward pack will be determined to make an early statement on the world stage.
Featured Men’s Rugby League World Cup
- Australia vs New Zealand → australia-vs-new-zealand-rlwc-preview-2026
- Papua New Guinea vs Lebanon → papua-new-guinea-vs-lebanon-rlwc-preview-2026
- England vs Tonga → england-vs-tonga-rlwc-preview-2026
- Fiji vs Cook Islands → fiji-vs-cook-islands-rlwc-preview-2026
Featured Women’s Rugby League World Cup
- Australia vs Samoa → australia-vs-samoa-womens-rlwc-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Saturday, October 17, 8.05pm AEDT at HBF Park, Perth
Referee: Gerard Sutton | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
England: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Dom Young, 3. Hugo Savala, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Zach Eckersley, 6. George Williams (c), 7. Harry Smith, 8. Maxwell King, 9. Bradley O’Neill, 10. Morgan Knowles, 11. Junior Nsemba, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Jez Litten, 15. Luke Thompson, 16. Ethan Havard, 17. Sam Walters, 18. Jack Welsby, 19. Matthew Ashton, R. Ben Currie, R. Mikey Lewis, R. Benjamin Talty
Tonga: 1. Lehi Hopoate, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Jojo Fifita, 6. Latu Fainu, 7. Isaiya Katoa, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Soni Luke, 10. Jason Taumalolo (c), 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Tyson Frizell, 14. Salesi Foketi, 15. Stefano Utoikamanu, 16. Demitric Vaimauga, 17. Leka Halasima, 18. Tu’imoala Lolohea, 19. Paul Alamoti, R. Taniela Paseka, R. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, R. Sione Katoa
Match Preview
England will open their World Cup campaign with seven changes to the starting side that took the field in the final Test of last year’s Ashes series in Leeds.
NRL stars Hugo Savala and Max King start for the Lions for the first time, as head coach Brian McDermott has not been afraid to call upon players with English heritage despite never playing in the country they represent. He has also stuck with George Williams as captain with Harry Smith partnering him in the halves to play the Tongans in Perth.
Tonga have made nine changes to the side that suffered a 40-14 defeat to New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championships. Lehi Hopoate and Isaiya Katoa are the only backs that have survived from that loss, with a whole new wing and centre partnership on both sides, so it will be an interesting fight in the backline.
This is the first time these two sides will have faced each other since 2023, when Kristian Woolf’s side came over to the North of England to play three Tests and the Lions prevailed all three times. This game will be won in the pack, and the friendship off the field between second rowers Kai Pearce-Paul and Junior Nsemba should blossom on the pitch, and start England’s campaign off with a bang in Perth.
One player who could shine during this World Cup, and can begin a long England career with this tournament, is the current Man of Steel Brad O’Neill. He will start at hooker on Saturday and should control the pace of the game alongside Williams, Smith, and England’s number 1, AJ Brimson.
England have a hard campaign ahead if they are to win the tournament for the first time in the country’s history, as the other wins came under Great Britain, and a solid win with plenty of tries can help the critics believe that England will succeed at this World Cup.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: England by 14.
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