England head coach Brian McDermott has urged his players to remain patient and avoid panicking as they chase a heavy points victory against Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on Friday. To keep their Rugby League World Cup semi-final hopes alive and avoid missing the last four for the first time ever, England require a handsome win over the Kumuls alongside a 68-point swing on rivals Samoa, who must also lose to Tonga on Sunday.
Sticking to the Gameplan
McDermott wants his squad to follow the same blueprint that guided them to an 82-0 thrashing of France last weekend. England were scoreless for the opening 22 minutes against France before accelerating in the second half. McDermott noted that discipline prevents the team from searching for things outside their intended style of play, even if the scoring takes time to open up.
To best suit their attacking gameplan against PNG, Hull KR’s Jez Litten has been selected at hooker over recently crowned Super League Man of Steel Brad O’Neill, who starts on the bench alongside club team-mate Zach Eckersley. McDermott admitted that having tough conversations with players like O’Neill is difficult, but emphasized that the squad understands the decisions are made based on the best fit for the specific task.
Squad Changes and Boosts
Kallum Watkins joins the interchange bench as a late call-up, while Victor Radley and Jack Welsby drop out, and Brisbane Broncos prop Ben Talty awaits his first tournament appearance. Meanwhile, Morgan Knowles is set to make his first appearance of the tournament after missing the 30-12 defeat by Tonga on October 17 due to a calf injury. Knowles returns to action shortly after he and his wife welcomed their third child on Wednesday.
McDermott expressed excitement about getting Knowles back into the team, noting that the forward is eager to play despite having his hands full with family duties. BBC Sport provides live commentary for the Friday fixture in Wollongong starting at 09:05 GMT.
England Women Eyeing Semi-Finals
In the women’s tournament, England prop Vicky Whitfield stated that their heavy 78-0 defeat against reigning world champions Australia served as ideal preparation for their decisive final group match against Samoa on Friday at 06:45 GMT. The winner of the Pool A clash will secure a semi-final spot against Pool B winners New Zealand.
Whitfield explained that facing Australia’s fast pace and tactical shape provided a valuable defensive test ahead of the Samoa fixture. Stuart Barrow’s squad aims to reach the semi-finals for the fifth consecutive time, with Whitfield emphasizing that achieving this goal would bring great excitement to the team.
