England finished Pool A unbeaten and will face Australia in Tuesday’s semifinal at 08:45 GMT (12:45 Yerevan time). France beat Australia 69–34, Scotland beat New Zealand 62–18, and Wales beat the USA 92–18.
England recovered from an early deficit to beat Ireland 68–32 at Wollongong Entertainment Arena and finish first in Pool A of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. Earlier wins over Wales and the USA left the defending champions unbeaten in the group.
England won the previous tournament, played in 2022, by beating France 28–24 in the final on 18 November.
Ireland led 14–0 and then 20–4 before England fought back to lead 22–20 at half-time. England then scored 40 unanswered points before Ireland scored again.
Joe Coyd scored four of England’s 12 tries and Rob Hawkins scored three. Mason Billington and captain Lewis King scored two each, while Jack Brown scored one.
King told Premier Sports that Ireland had presented England’s biggest challenge of the tournament so far, that his side enjoyed high-pressure games and that it found its rhythm early in the second half. He said England would not be particularly pleased with its performance because its standards were higher, but had achieved its first aim by topping the group and would carry that momentum into the following week.
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| France vs. Australia | 69–34 |
| Scotland vs. New Zealand | 62–18 |
| Wales vs. USA | 92–18 |
France pulled clear of Australia to top its group in a repeat of their semifinal meeting four years earlier. Scotland’s victory was its first at a wheelchair World Cup, with Calum Davidson scoring 4 tries. Wales heads into the play-offs for fifth through eighth places.
Rob Hawkins scored five tries as England eliminated the hosts in Wollongong and reached the final, where it will defend its title against France.
On Tuesday, England plays co-host Australia at 08:45 GMT (12:45 Yerevan time) for a place in the final. France faces Ireland at 06:15 GMT (10:15 Yerevan time), seeking a fourth consecutive final.
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Australia beat Samoa 44–12 as Reece Walsh scored his first international hat-trick, reaching its 16th successive men’s final. New Zealand beat Tonga 34–10 and will face Australia in Brisbane.
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Abbi Church scored 4 tries as Australia set up a final against New Zealand, which beat Samoa 32–0. The final is in Brisbane on 15 November at 05:10 GMT (09:10 Yerevan time).
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