England vs Tonga: Rugby League World Cup predictions, 18-1 Bet Builder, team news and odds

Date Saturday, October 17Kick-off 10.05am BSTVenue Perth Rectangular Stadium, Perth, AustraliaCompetition Rugby League World CupTV Premier Sports 1

Tournament favourites Australia and New Zealand got the 2026 Rugby League World Cup off to a scintillating start on Thursday and it is the turn of England and Tonga to advertise their credentials in Perth on Saturday morning.

England completed a 3-0 home victory over the Tongans in 2023 while the teams met in the semi-finals of the 2017 World Cup, the last time the tournament was held in Australia.

Rugby League World Cup | England v Tonga

Saturday, October 17, 10.05am

Both teams to score 10 points

Dominic Young first tryscorer

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England have won all six previous meetings with Tonga and they could edge a tight battle in Perth.

Both sides possess some potent attacking weapons, especially at centre, and they should trade at least a couple of tries.

The England winger burst on to the scene at the last World Cup with nine tries and he crossed the whitewash 23 times for NRL Grand Finalists Newcastle this year.

Pays out at 18-1 with bet365

There is little time for England to feel their way into the 17th Rugby League World Cup as Saturday's showdown with Tonga has the potential to make or break their tournament.

England will be expected to beat France and Papua New Guinea in their subsequent pool matches, so with only two sides progressing to the last four from the combined Group B & C standings, a semi-final berth is probably on the line in Perth.

England's last World Cup experience was laced with heartache as they were beaten in golden-point extra-time by Samoa in the semi-final four years ago.

Reaching the last four will again be the aim for Brian McDermott's side and they may just have the edge over the Tongans.

The sides last met in 2023, when England secured a 3-0 series whitewash on home soil, while they also edged a stirring World Cup semi-final in Auckland in 2017.

Indeed, England have won all six of the pair's previous meetings and while Tonga have improved considerably in the last decade since many Australians and Kiwis have chosen to represent them on heritage grounds, they were put in their place by New Zealand and Samoa in last year's Pacific Championship.

The paucity of international fixtures means form has to be taken with a pinch of salt, but Mate Ma'a have won only one of eight matches since the last World Cup.

England were found out in last year's Ashes, scoring only two tries in three matches against the Aussies, but they should be better suited to a physical and less structured contest.

McDermott has spoken about doing things differently in order to trouble Australia and New Zealand and some instinctive, eyes-up rugby could be the key to making a winning start to their World Cup campaign.

Rugby League World Cup | England v Tonga

Saturday, October 17, 10.05am

Both teams to score 10 points

Dominic Young first tryscorer

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♦ England have won all of their six previous meetings with Tonga♦ England winger Zach Eckersley scored 27 Super League tries for Wigan this season

Odds correct at time of publishing

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Leeds veteran Kallum Watkins has been called up to England's 23-man squad as a replacement for Morgan Smithies, who has withdrawn from the tournament through injury, but will miss Saturday's tournament opener. AJ Brimson has been given the nod at full-back while Harry Smith will partner captain George Williams in the halves.

England team to face Tonga: AJ Brimson; Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley; George Williams, Harry Smith; Max King, Brad O’Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley. Replacements: Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters. Reserves: Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton, Ben Currie, Mikey Lewis, Ben Talty.

Tonga head coach Kristian Woolf has named a strong line-up for Saturday's opener. Robert Toia and Siua Wong are named in Woolf's starting 13 after helping the Sydney Roosters win the NRL Grand Final while North Queensland powerhouse Jason Taumalolo captains the side from the front row.

Tonga team to face England: Lehi Hopoate; Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Tolutau Koula, Robert Toia, Sosefo Smith Tufulele; Latu Fainu, Isaiya Katoa; Addin Fonua-Blake, Soni Luke, Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau'atu, Siua Wong, Tyson Frizell. Replacements: Salesi Fokeit, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima. Reserves: Tui Lolohea, Paul Alamoti, Taniela Paseka, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Sione Katoa.

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is being held in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and begins on Thursday, October 15, in Sydney. Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium will host the final on November 15.

Reigning champions Australia are 4-5 favourites to win a 13th World Cup this autumn.

Every game from the 2026 Rugby League World Cup will be shown live in the United Kingdom on Premier Sports.

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Last updated 13:00, 16 October 2026