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England player ratings as Rugby League World Cup hopes smashed and two score 4/10

England defeated Papua New Guinea but they were far from impressive in their 34-12 win that surely won’t be enough for them to progress to the World Cup semi-finals. Brian McDermott’s side knew that they had to chase points but…

Published: Friday, 30 October 2026 at 11:04 AM
England player ratings as Rugby League World Cup hopes smashed and two score 4/10
Key Things to Know
  • Sam Cook awarded 4/10 ratings to George Williams and Kallum Watkins following England's Rugby League World Cup win.
  • England defeated Papua New Guinea 34-12 under head coach Brian McDermott.
  • Cook argues England's semi-final hopes are severely dented after failing to secure a larger winning margin.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Serious About Rugby League's Sam Cook evaluated England's squad following a 34-12 victory against Papua New Guinea, awarding 4/10 ratings to George Williams and Kallum Watkins. Cook argues that England's World Cup semi-final ambitions are practically dashed despite the win, as Brian McDermott's team required a wider winning margin.

England rushed out to a 22-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes before committing repeated errors while chasing extra points. As a result, England's qualification for the semi-finals reportedly relies on Tonga defeating Samoa by an improbable 47-point margin.

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