England’s women exited the Rugby League World Cup at the group stage following a defeat to Samoa in Wollongong, as reported by BBC Sport. Despite a spirited display, Stuart Barrow’s side saw their tournament end, shifting their long-term focus toward the 2030 World Cup.
Tournament Exit and Strategy
Whether England’s long-term strategy will bear dividends remains uncertain, as does the location of the tournament in four years’ time, which is yet to be confirmed. Having reached the semi-final stage at the previous four World Cups, England’s eye was clearly on the future during this campaign. That approach was reflected in Barrow’s squad selection, which included 11 players aged 23 or under.
While a 70-6 victory over Wales briefly raised expectations, subsequent matches underlined the class gap England still needs to bridge. Following a heavy defeat to the Jillaroos, England faced Samoa with a place in the knockout stages on the line.
Match Progression against Samoa
Samoa’s power and pace became apparent immediately, with Freedom Crichton Ropati scoring twice in the right corner before completing her hat-trick before the break as Samoa dominated territory. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala extended Samoa’s lead to 16-0 immediately after half-time by capitalizing on an overload down the left.
England responded when Evie Cousins scored in the left corner following a line break from Hollie-Mae Dodd. Isabel Rowe added the conversion, and Pauline Piliae-Rasabale subsequently kicked a penalty for Samoa to ease the pressure as England mounted a comeback.
Fran Goldthorp missed an opportunity when an offload strayed forward with two players free and the try-line open. After failing to find touch from a subsequent penalty, England were punished when Fanua Rimoni scored Samoa’s fifth try, securing a 24-6 victory and a semi-final meeting with New Zealand.
Swansong for Cunningham
The defeat marked the end of a distinguished playing career for 34-year-old Jodie Cunningham, who earned 38 caps and played in four World Cups as a trailblazer for the women’s game in England. The central question facing the team now is whether they can develop into genuine contenders by 2030 while remaining part-time players in a sport experiencing rapid professional advancements in the southern hemisphere.
