England on brink of historic World Cup exit despite win over PNG

England are on the brink of a Rugby League World Cup pool stage exit despite a 34-12 victory over Papua New Guinea in Wollongong.

Brian McDermott's side's qualification hopes have been out of their own hands since a heavy 30-12 defeat to Tonga in their tournament opener, and required a big win against PNG even after a 82-0 demolition of France .

England needed victory by 70 or more to overtake Samoa on points difference in the standings, which looked a possibility after they scored four tries in the first 21 minutes, only for sloppy errors and an impressive PNG display to halt early momentum.

PNG limited opponents to a penalty goal over the rest of the first half and then scored two converted tries to spark a second-half comeback, with a frustrated England going 48 minutes without a try until Morgan Knowles' score.

Mikey Lewis added another with the final play of the game, but England's 22-point winning margin is likely to be nowhere near enough to avoid a first group-stage exit in their World Cup history.

The only way for England to avoid a pool stage exit and snatch second spot would be for Tonga to beat Samoa by 46 points or more on Sunday, the final day of group fixtures.

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