Updated: 7:28am – England have marched into a Rugby League World Cup semi-final showdown with Tonga after an unconvincing 36-6 win over Papua New Guinea in Melbourne.
While winger Jermaine McGillvary set up the victory with two first-half tries, England coach Wayne Bennett will be fuming with his side’s woeful completion rate.
The northern hemisphere heavyweights crossed for seven tries but only managed to complete 25 of 45 sets – at just 56 per cent – in the face of some feisty defence from the Kumuls.
But it was enough to book a final-four berth against Tonga at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium next Saturday night.
The AAMI Park match could hardly have started worse for PNG, with their Brisbane Broncos fullback David Mead knocked out in the opening set while trying to tackle halfback Luke Gale.
-NewstalkZB
Featured Image : England will now take on Tonga in the semi-finals next Saturday in Auckland. (Photo / Getty Images)
