England will have to beat France, PNG, and Tonga in order to make the final.

Tonga looks very strong to me.

I am afraid that we just might see an Australia vs Tonga RLWC final.

England can beat anyone in a one off its the game after which has been the problem in the last 30 years

Yes but would be very difficult

NZ were well on top of Tonga when Danny Levi was at hooker and running their big forwards off their feet.
I can see the England hookers exposing Tonga's weakness in the ruck all game.
Danny spotted markers out of place so often he ran himself ragged after 40 minutes and had to go off.

To be honest, I think we need to seriously concentrate on PNG first before even thinking about Tonga.

I know it’s only the US, but they’re looking very good this morning.

Yes but it’ll certainly be a challenge.

Can New Zealand beat Australia? I’d love it if the Aussies didn’t make the final.

England may battle to beat France tonight.
England will be up against it v PNG
I doubt they will get past Tonga if they get through PNG

Australia have not got out of third gear yet and they have a six speed box.

England may battle to beat France tonight.
England will be up against it v PNG
I doubt they will get past Tonga if they get through PNG

Australia have not got out of third gear yet and they have a six speed box.

You will beat PNG easily.
They don't travel well and a Wayne Bennett coached side will play boring, no mistake footy, which is perfect for playing PNG, who will make plenty of mistakes themselves.
You will grind out the win by just holding the ball.

England are not great at hanging on to the ball.
When those PNG missiles come flying in I think England will need to play at their top level to hang on, they have little of anything in attack beyond the Wingers, and they have to see the ball before they can do anything.
PNG have pace and power all over the Park.
They are a lot better than they were in 2008 where they gave England a scare, if the game was played in Moresby my money would have been on PNG

England will beat PNG by 30 and Tonga by 20

I said once the Tongan defectors had made their move that I could see Tonga in the Final and I stand by that. England v Tonga at Mt Smart will be an epic occasion which will see nearly all 30,000 seats occupied by Tongan Supporters......sorry, but I can't see past a Tonga v ANZAC final.....the Kiwis know what they must do now and I'd fancy them to give the Aussies a massive scare.

rlrl
Draw bracket from the official RLWC2017 site, which I'm assuming is wrong as this has Eng down to play NZ in the semis if both win through.

I think so.......I always thought that the only time England could meet Australia again was the final!

I think people are overestimating PNG. They've looked good playing in stifling heat and humidity in front of their own fans, but Wales and the US were awful. Ireland, which is basically half a mid-table SL side plus Championship players stood up to them and only just lost in that same environment.

Ireland deserve a bit of credit BTW, they are the only one of the northern hemisphere teams to play above expectations. Wales and Scotland have been largely embarrassingly bad.