Overview
- England must beat Papua New Guinea on Friday by a large margin and then await the Tonga v Samoa result because the tournament uses a merged Groups B and C table decided by points difference.
- Mikey Lewis has been named among the interchanges for the must-win game after scoring two tries in a 20-minute cameo in England’s 82-0 win over France.
- Lewis’s selection was controversial because coach Brian McDermott chose him over Jake Connor after a Super League season that produced 17 tries and 14 assists but also four yellow cards and a four-game ban in July for a late tackle and a headbutt.
- McDermott has defended the pick, saying Lewis has shown humility in camp, and Lewis says he has sought help for his on-field temperament and will embrace an impact bench role.
- If Tonga beat Samoa England could still reach the semi-finals on points difference, while a Samoa win would all but guarantee England’s elimination and leave the fallout over selection and discipline as the story to watch next.