England need miracle to stay in World Cup after failing to crush Papua New Guinea

Pool B + C: England 34-12 Papua New Guinea Men’s and women’s sides exit in matter of hours Game over. Two ultimately straightforward victories from three group games would ordinarily be enough to secure qualification in the Rugby League World Cup, but the format means that barrin

Pool B + C: England 34-12 Papua New Guinea Men’s and women’s sides exit in matter of hours Game over. Two ultimately straightforward victories from three group games would ordinarily be enough to secure qualification in the Rugby League World Cup, but the format means that barring a rugby league miracle from Tonga on Sunday, England are heading home early. That format – ten teams in lop-sided groups and England in a unique position of being effectively out after defeat on the opening weekend – has been a point of discussion since that defeat to the Tongans a fortnight ago.

But at some stage, the attention has to turn internally and the tough, uncompromising questions have to be asked of English rugby league. Continue reading...