England v Tonga Kicks Off at 10.05am UK Time on Saturday 17 October
England start their Rugby League World Cup against Tonga at HBF Park in Perth at 5.05pm local time on Saturday 17 October. In the UK and Ireland that is 10.05am. Every match is live on Premier Sports.
Kick-off time where you are
| Where | Kick-off | Day |
|---|---|---|
| UK and Ireland (BST) | 10.05am | Saturday 17 October |
| Perth (AWST) | 5.05pm | Saturday 17 October |
| Brisbane (AEST) | 7.05pm | Saturday 17 October |
| Sydney and Melbourne (AEDT) | 8.05pm | Saturday 17 October |
| Auckland (NZDT) | 10.05pm | Saturday 17 October |
| Tonga | 10.05pm | Saturday 17 October |
| New York (EDT) | 5.05am | Saturday 17 October |
| Los Angeles (PDT) | 2.05am | Saturday 17 October |
England Women play Wales at the same ground earlier that day, at 7.35am UK time, so a British viewer can watch both on one morning.
Why it is a morning kick-off in Britain
Perth is seven hours ahead of the UK while British Summer Time lasts. The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, after which the gap is eight hours, and the gap to Sydney goes from ten hours to eleven. That is why England’s first two games are at breakfast time and the third, in Wollongong, starts at 9.05am.
| Date | Match | Venue | UK kick-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Tonga | HBF Park, Perth | 10.05am BST |
| Sat 24 Oct | England v France | HBF Park, Perth | 7.35am BST |
| Fri 30 Oct | England v Papua New Guinea | WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 9.05am GMT |
England are in the combined Pools B and C table, so they play the three Pool C sides and not their own pool. The top two of that table reach the semi-finals. The World Cup standings page explains how it works and updates after every match.
England’s side
It is Brian McDermott’s first tournament as coach and England’s first competitive match since last autumn’s Ashes. George Williams captains the side and partners Harry Smith in the halves. Victor Radley arrives from the Roosters’ grand final win, and Herbie Farnworth of the Dolphins is in the centres.
Four players are in line for first caps: Wigan’s Zach Eckersley and Sam Walters, Hugo Savala of the Roosters and Max King of the Bulldogs. Junior Nsemba returns, and Brad O’Neill comes in as this year’s Man of Steel.
Tonga’s side
Kristian Woolf, formerly of St Helens, coaches Tonga. His squad has two players from the Dally M Team of the Year, Haumole Olakau’atu and Robert Toia, plus Addin Fonua-Blake in the front row and Isaiya Katoa, 22, at halfback. Williams joins him at the Dolphins next year.
Jason Taumalolo and Tui Lolohea are the only two left from the 2017 semi-final against England. Tyson Frizell played in that year’s final too, for Australia, before switching to Tonga in 2023.
The record
England have won all six meetings, according to the Rugby Football League. The closest was that 2017 semi-final in Auckland, 20-18, when Tonga scored three tries in the last seven minutes and ran out of time. England also won a three-Test series against Tonga 3-0 in 2023.
For channels and streams in every country, see how to watch the Rugby League World Cup.
