England captain George Williams insists his squad is prepared to embrace an underdog role as they face a formidable Tonga side in their Rugby League World Cup opener this Saturday in Perth. While acknowledging the high level of talent within the opposition, Williams noted that the team is ready to embrace the challenge posed by a side bolstered by numerous NRL players.
The match at HBF Park is expected to be physically demanding, with humidity levels forecasted to exceed 60%. Williams emphasized that the environmental conditions represent a significant departure from the colder atmosphere typically encountered during November fixtures in England. The team has been forced into a late change to their starting lineup, with Luke Thompson stepping in to replace the injured Morgan Knowles. The squad had previously suffered an earlier setback with the withdrawal of Morgan Smithies. And with humidity expected to be above 60% inside HBF Park, Williams expects the toughest of starts against a Tonga side who have evolved since 2023 and are packed with NRL talent. We’ll be underdogs but we’ll quite like that kind of brush on our head and we’ll bring our game tomorrow night against a great team. With the heat and different conditions, i think it’s always different over here as well. It helps when you drag them to Leeds and it’s minus two or whatever it normally is in November.
Reflecting on the competitive history between the two nations, England holds a 3-0 record from a home Test series three years ago and secured a narrow victory in the 2017 World Cup semi-final in Auckland. Despite those successes, Williams described the Tongan roster as a “stacked team” that has continued to evolve since 2023. England’s recent World Cup history is one of heartache and near misses.
The 31-year-old captain, now entering his third World Cup, addressed concerns regarding the team’s past tournament heartaches. England faced a painful golden-point elimination against Samoa in the 2022 semi-finals and endured a narrow 6-0 defeat to Australia in the 2017 final. Williams also recalled his experience leading the side during the 3-0 Ashes defeat in 2025. Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand. Williams, 31, who was part of those squads and captain when England lost 3-0 in the Ashes in 2025, dismissed any idea that baggage could inhibit the group now at head coach Brian McDermott’s disposal.
However, the skipper dismissed the idea that these previous results would hinder their performance. He suggested that such experiences serve as a source of drive and motivation for the current group, which features a blend of youth and experience. By combining these different profiles, he believes the team can successfully navigate the tournament.
Williams expressed optimism about the current squad composition, noting, “Some youth, some heritage and some old lads like myself can all mingle together and get the job done.”
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