England Face Exit from the Rugby League World Cup

England's hopes of reaching the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals are finely balanced and depend on the results of other matches. Brian McDermott's side face Papua New Guinea on Friday and must win that game by a large margin.

England lost their opening match 30-12 to Tonga, a result that cast a serious shadow over their chances of reaching the knockout stage. Despite a striking 82-0 win over France on Saturday, they still need a series of results to go their way to progress from the group.

Sky Sports Rugby League commentator Brian Carney said England's task was difficult. Carney noted that after the first match many people believed the team was out of the tournament, but the win over France has rekindled hope. In his view, Papua New Guinea have not shown the form expected of them in the tournament, but they will not make England's task any easier.

In this year's tournament format, six teams are placed in Groups B and C. If teams finish level on points, the results of their head-to-head matches decide the order. Under this rule, Tonga can finish ahead of England thanks to their opening win. The result of the Tonga v Samoa match, to be played in Sydney on Sunday, will determine England's fate.