England eliminated from Women's Rugby League World Cup after loss to Samoa

England's women were eliminated from the Rugby League World Cup after losing to Samoa on Friday in Wollongong, ending their bid to reach a fifth consecutive semi-final. The defeat confirmed England's exit at the group stage of the tournament and shifts immediate focus towards preparations for 2030.

England had reached the semi-final stage at the previous four World Cups and entered this tournament with a young squad selected by Stuart Barrow that included 11 players aged 23 or under. A 70-6 opening win over Wales briefly raised expectations, but England had been beaten by the Jillaroos just under a week earlier and finished their campaign unable to progress beyond the group phase. Barrow's side had been presented as a long-term project aimed at future editions of the competition.

Samoa established early control through pace and physicality, with Freedom Crichton Ropati going over twice in the right corner before completing her hat-trick before half-time as Samoa enjoyed a huge territorial advantage. The Parramatta Eels winger's three tries were part of a dominant first-half display that put England on the back foot.

Mercedez Taulelei-Siala capitalised on an overload down the left to score straight after half-time and extend Samoa's lead to 16-0. England responded when Evie Cousins finished in the left corner following a line break by Hollie-Mae Dodd; Isabel Rowe converted the try. Samoa then added points when Pauline Piliae-Rasabale elected to take two points from a penalty.

England had a gilt-edged opportunity when Fran Goldthorp's attempted offload went forward while the side had two players spare close to the try-line, and a later failure to find touch after winning a penalty offered Samoa the chance to punish them. Fanua Rimoni crashed over for Samoa's fifth try, sealing their passage into the last four and a meeting with New Zealand.

For Jodie Cunningham the tournament represented the swansong of her playing career after 38 caps and four World Cups, a conclusion that the 34-year-old will not have wanted. The England performance contained positive moments that Cunningham and others can draw on despite the early exit.

Samoa progress to the semi-finals and will face New Zealand, while England turn their attention to preparations for 2030 amid uncertainty over the location of the next tournament and whether the current long-term strategy will deliver future success.