England’s women are out of the Rugby League World Cup after Samoa beat them 24-6 in a Group A decider in Wollongong. A spirited fightback was not enough to keep Stuart Barrow’s side alive in the tournament.
The defeat ends England’s run of reaching four consecutive semi-finals, and their focus now shifts to the 2030 World Cup — a long-term strategy built around a squad containing 11 players aged 23 or under.
England Women (Credits: BBC)
Samoa’s Power and Pace Too Much for England
Samoa’s power and pace showed almost immediately. Parramatta Eels winger Freedom Crichton Ropati crossed twice in the right corner as England fought a rearguard action, completing her hat-trick before the break as Samoa enjoyed a huge territorial advantage.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala capitalised on a huge overload down the left straight after half-time to extend the lead to 16-0. But England found life when Evie Cousins, who had been in tears late in the first period after failing to catch a routine high ball, skipped over in the left corner after a superb line break from Hollie-Mae Dodd, with Isabel Rowe adding the extras.
When Pauline Piliae-Rasabale elected to take two points from a penalty for Samoa, it underlined the pressure Barrow’s side had managed to apply. But a golden chance slipped away: with England having two players spare and the try-line at their mercy, Fran Goldthorp could not offload without her pass straying forward.
England’s World Cup 2026 Ends in Wollongong
England were punished ruthlessly when they failed to find touch after winning a penalty, as Fanua Rimoni crashed over for Samoa’s fifth try to seal their passage into the last four and a meeting with New Zealand.
The result followed England’s 70-6 rout of Wales and a humbling defeat to Australia’s Jillaroos, underlining the gulf in class England still have to bridge. It was also not the ending Jodie Cunningham, a trailblazer of the women’s game in England, wanted or deserved.
Samoa march on to the semi-finals, while England go home with one eye firmly on 2030.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
