Rugby League World Cup: How can England nonetheless qualify for the semi-finals? Situations to keep away from historic group-stage exit | Rugby League Information
England saved their slim Rugby League World Cup hopes alive with victory over France, however what do Brian McDermott’s aspect nonetheless want to succeed in the semi-finals?
A possible first group-stage exit in World Cup historical past turned an growing chance after a heavy 30-12 defeat to Tonga of their match opener, with England nonetheless needing outcomes to go of their favour even after an 82-0 demolition of France.
The distinctive format for this 12 months’s 10-team match sees the three groups in every of Group B and Group C feed right into a mixed six-team desk, with solely the highest two sides then progressing to the semi-finals.
England at present have two factors with one group stage match remaining, towards Papua New Guinea on Friday (9.05am kick-off), the place they may want one other convincing victory to have any likelihood of progressing.
Can Brian McDermott’s aspect keep away from a gaggle stage exit?
Who’re favourites to qualify?
Head-to-head data will decide league positions over factors distinction, ought to a number of groups be tied, so qualification is now out of England’s fingers no matter their very own efficiency.
Tonga are already assured to complete above England within the standings, having already picked up two wins this match and secured the higher head-to-head file by beating them earlier this month.
England’s hopes of development relaxation on Tonga beating Samoa on November 1, which might see Kristian Woolf’s aspect high the desk on six factors and see second spot selected factors distinction.
What would England then want?
Fairly merely, earlier than Tonga face Samoa, England should beat Papua New Guinea and do it by a substantial margin.
Samoa’s thumping 78-4 win over France of their match opener and a 64-6 victory over Papua New Guinea on Saturday leaves them with a powerful +132 level distinction.
Samoa need to attain their second successive Rugby League World Cup last
England beating France takes them to a +64 factors distinction, 68 factors behind Samoa heading into the ultimate spherical of fixtures. One other win Friday would carry them to 4 factors and stage with each Samoa and Tonga.
McDermott’s aspect would then be left to attend 48 hours for the result of Tonga vs Samoa in Sydney. A Samoa win would assure England’s elimination, whereas a Tonga victory would see the factors distinction determine second spot.
England do not essentially have to beat Papua New Guinea by 68 factors or extra, however a victory by that margin would imply any Tonga loss could be sufficient to progress.
A smaller England win would see them want Tonga dropping by an even bigger rating, relying on England’s last factors distinction.
What would occur subsequent?
The winner of the mixed Teams B+C desk would progress to the semi-final to face the runner-up of Group A, a four-team league consisting of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the Cook dinner Islands.
Australia are favourites to high Group A after edging out New Zealand 24-22 in an exciting match opener on October 15, with the winner of New Zealand vs Fiji on October 31 more likely to take second spot.
Jack Bostock scored a hat-trick for Australia of their victory over New Zealand
The 2 semi-finals happen in Newcastle and Sydney respectively on November 7 and eight, with the Pool B+C winner within the opening semi-final, earlier than the ultimate takes place in Brisbane on November 15.
And what in regards to the Girls’s World Cup?
The format for the ladies’s competitors is simpler, with eight groups separated into two swimming pools of 4 and the highest two from every then progressing to the semi-finals.
Samoa’s 76-0 demolition of Wales leaves them stage on factors with England, who path the Pacific islanders on factors distinction after their heavy 82-0 loss to Australia on Saturday.
Samoa run in 14 tries throughout their one-side victory over Wales on Friday
England face Samoa in Wollongong on Friday, the place the winners will verify second in Group A with 4 factors and ebook a semi-final assembly towards the winner of Group B. An unlikely draw would see Samoa progress on factors distinction.
New Zealand – who’ve appeared in each Girls’s Rugby League World Cup last – are anticipated to high Group B, with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and France the others in that pool.
The 2 semi-finals are performed on November 7 and eight forward of the ultimate on November 15, with all three fixtures double-headers with males’s matches. Australia are defending champions and chase a fourth consecutive World Cup title.
