Tonga beat England 30-12 for historic World Cup opening win

Tonga defeated England 30-12 in their Rugby League World Cup opener at HBF Park in Perth on Saturday, October 17, recording their first victory over the English side. International Rugby League's match report confirmed the historic result, with Haumole Olakau'atu scoring twice as Tonga opened their campaign in front of 18,302 spectators.

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England reached half-time 10-0 behind despite creating attacking opportunities. According to Sky Sports, Isaiya Katoa supplied the pass for Stefano Utoikamanu's opening try, converted it and added two penalty goals. George Williams and Hugo Savala were among the England players denied near the line, while Tonga repeatedly tested the defence with Katoa's kicking.

The second half initially brought a response from England. Williams and Savala combined to send AJ Brimson over, and Savala's conversion reduced the gap to four points. Sky Sports reported that Tonga then pulled away through tries from Olakau'atu and Tolu Koula within three minutes of each other. Katoa's subsequent penalty extended the lead to 24-6, leaving England with another substantial deficit to recover.

Dom Young scored England's second try, but Olakau'atu's second touchdown ended the comeback threat. The official match record lists four Tonga tries against England's two, with seven successful kicks from Katoa and two from Savala. Tonga's defensive work before the interval had given them the platform to withstand England's two scoring responses and finish with an 18-point winning margin.

England coach Brian McDermott acknowledged errors and lost possession after the defeat, Sky Sports reported. He also pointed to positive aspects of the performance and said England had competed with Tonga for much of the match. His immediate task is to prepare the side for France, with England returning to action in Perth next Saturday.

The result leaves England needing victories over France and Papua New Guinea, alongside favourable results elsewhere, to reach the semi-finals. International Rugby League reported that head-to-head results are the primary tiebreaker and identified Tonga's November 1 meeting with Samoa as crucial to England's prospects. Tonga, meanwhile, have strengthened their own position with a win over a direct rival.