134-0: England beat USA to reach World Cup semi-finals in wheelchair rugby league
England reach the semi-finals
England secured their semi-final place with a 134-0 victory over the USA. Eight England players scored, with Chris Haynes and captain Mason Billington each crossing for four tries.
Team responds to criticism
After England’s opening 98-18 win over Wales, Rob Hawkins said the team were not playing to their standards and gave them a rating of five out of 10. O’Neill said the players had discussed how to improve. He described the USA match as a team effort and said he believed they had made progress.
Semi-final opponents remain unknown
England will meet either France or Australia in next week’s semi-finals. The final group games will determine the match-ups, with Ireland, ranked third in the world, due to face England on Friday in Wollongong at 06:00 GMT.
France, runners-up to England in 2022, beat New Zealand 120-10. Scotland, New Zealand, Wales and the USA will compete in a ranking tournament for fifth to eighth place.
Key points
- England beat the USA 134-0 to reach the semi-finals.
- Chris Haynes and Mason Billington scored four tries each.
- England’s semi-final opponent will be France or Australia.
- Ireland face England in Wollongong on Friday at 06:00 GMT.