RegisterLog in
Rugby League
  • Home
  • Rugby League

England vs Papua New Guinea Tips - PNG to face a hammering in RLWC

jeremy-darke
Jeremy Darke
Editor
Last updated: Wed 28 Oct 2026 07:29
England are tipped to cover the -36.5 handicap against Papua New Guinea in their Rugby League World Cup fixture, following an 82-0 win over France that highlights their attacking strength. Papua New Guinea have conceded 82 points in two matches, including a heavy 64-6 defeat to Samoa. Additional selections include under 60.5 total points and Herbie Farnworth to score 2 or more tries. Team news sees England making changes with Jez Litten starting at hooker and Morgan Knowles returning, while PNG adjust their line-up due to injury.
Share
Jeremy Darke 28 Oct 2026
Share this article
Or copy link
Copy
  • England are tipped to cover the -36.5 handicap against Papua New Guinea.
  • England’s 82-0 win over France and PNG conceding 82 points support the selection.
  • Under 60.5 total points and Herbie Farnworth 2+ tries are also recommended.
england rugby league
England to progress to the semi-finals (Getty Images)

England vs Papua New Guinea Verdict


England and Papua New Guinea are both chasing a win that will seal a spot in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final hopes alive. After an 82-0 win over France and PNG conceding 64 points to Samoa, I'm backing England to cover the -36.5 line that has been set.

  • England bounced back from a 30-12 defeat to Tonga with an 82-0 victory over France.
  • Papua New Guinea have conceded 82 points across their opening two World Cup matches.
  • England scored six tries in 16 minutes against France.
  • Herbie Farnworth scored a first-half hat-trick in England's Round 2 victory.
  • PNG conceded 50 unanswered second-half points in their 64-6 defeat to Samoa.

Head to Head


England defeated Papua New Guinea 46-6 in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals and 36-6 in the 2017 quarter-finals.

Both matches finished under 60.5 points, with England winning by an average margin of 35 points.

England Form


England recovered from their opening 30-12 defeat to Tonga with a record-breaking 82-0 demolition of France in Perth.

AJ Brimson delivered a player-of-the-match performance with five line breaks, seven tackle breaks, three try assists and a try.

Herbie Farnworth and Dominic Young both scored hat-tricks, while England exploded for six tries in just 16 first-half minutes after being held scoreless for the opening 20.

George Williams and Harry Smith controlled the attack, with England producing their first Test victory on Australian soil since 2008.

Papua New Guinea Form


Papua New Guinea opened their campaign with a 42-18 victory over Lebanon before suffering a heavy 64-6 defeat to Samoa.

The Kumuls led Samoa 6-4 early and trailed just 14-6 at half-time, but their defence collapsed after the break as they conceded 50 unanswered points.

Bailey Biondi-Odo has scored in both tournament matches, while Rhyse Martin crossed against Lebanon and kicked seven conversions from seven attempts.

PNG have scored 48 points and conceded 82 across their opening two matches.

Team News


England have named Jez Litten at hooker and Morgan Knowles at lock, with the latter returning from a calf injury. Brad O'Neill drops to the reserves and Victor Radley moves to the interchange bench.

AJ Brimson retains the fullback jersey, while Herbie Farnworth and Dominic Young remain in the backline following their hat-tricks against France.

Papua New Guinea have moved Zac Laybutt to fullback, with Josh Feledy and Nene Macdonald named in the centres.

Luca Moretti returns at prop, while Liam Horne replaces the injured Jack de Belin at lock.

Verdict

England -36.5 is our best bet as McDermott's side chase another convincing victory. Under 60.5 total points and Herbie Farnworth 2+ tries complete our selections.

Best Bet1: England -36.5 Money Line @10/11 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Under 60.5 Game Total @10/11 at dabble - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Herbie Farnworth 2+ Tries @13/10 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Herbie Farnworth First Try Scorer @6/1 at Hollywoodbets - 1 Unit
England -36.5
Money Line
@10/11 - 3 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad

Bet at bet365
Under 60.5
Game Total
@10/11 - 2 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
Promo Code: NEWBONUS

New customers only. Bet £10+ to receive £10 in Free Bets. 7-day free bet expiry. Stake not returned. Promotional Terms Apply. 18+. GambleAware.org

Bet at dabble
Herbie Farnworth
2+ Tries
@13/10 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS

18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org

Bet at Star Sports
Herbie Farnworth
First Try Scorer
@6/1 - 1 Unit
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywoodbets
jeremy-darke
Jeremy Darke

Sports Editor & Betting Analyst • Sports Writer & Expert Betting Analyst

Jeremy is a freelance journalist who is a true sports activist. A die-hard fan of the NRL all his life and also has a passion for all the major American sports.


From when he was a little fella he has played most sports ranging from rugby, ice hockey, tennis and football, just to name a few. His interest in analytics and statistics helps him find the edge while writing previews and being a regular tipster.

Tipster and presenter on YouTube and a co-founder of The Sports Cap and The Basketball Fix.

You can find Jeremy on Muckrack and LinkedIn.

Read More

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

15 October 2026

  • 2026 League of Legends World Championship -
  • Esports

19 October 2026

  • EuroLeague 2026/27 -
  • Basketball

22 October 2026

  • PARI Universe -
  • Esports
Load More
30 Oct 2026

England v Papua New Guinea

days

hours

min
Add to Calendar

Sports Tips Starts in

Today's Acca Tips

  • Soccer tips

 bonus image
Resources
Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited. Players must be 18 or over and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. Know when to Stop. Gamble responsibly and Think about your choices. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: gamcare.org.uk (UK), 800gambler.org (US), or gamblinghelponline.org.au (Australia). Gambling is addictive 18+. #Ads © 2026 freetips.com
Hear more from Freetips.com