“It’s a joke”: Rugby League World Cup format blasted by exiled nations

Six countries were cut from this years tournament, but a weekend of blowouts have put the action into question.

Scotland winger Lachlan Walmsley and Italian forward Ryan King have criticised the shortened 2026 Rugby League World Cup format, questioning the tournament’s direction after several one-sided results.

The tournament has been cut from 16 teams in 2022 to just 10 this year, leaving nations including Scotland, Wales, Italy, Greece, Jamaica and Ireland out of the competition. Despite none progressing beyond the group stage in 2022, the recent blowouts have reignited debate over whether more nations deserve a place on rugby league’s biggest international stage.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 10: (Back Row L-R) Ashton Golding of Jamaica, Dale Ferguson of Scotland, James Tedesco of Australia, Sam Tomkins of England, Junior Paulo of Samoa, Kevin Naiqama of Fiji, Nathan Brown of Italy, George King of Ireland (Front Row L-R) Elliot Kear of Wales, Jason Taumalolo of Tonga, Benjamin Garcia of France, Jessa Bromwich of New Zealand, Mitchell Moses of Lebanon, Jordan Meads of Greece, Rhyse Martin of Papua New Guinea and Brad Takairangi of Cook Islands pose for a photograph during the Rugby League World Cup 2021 Tournament Launch events at the Science and Industry Museum on October 10, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC2021)

Week two of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup has been dominated by one-sided scorelines, intensifying debate over the tournament’s reduced format.

Australia beat Fiji by 14 points in the closest contest, while Tonga crushed Lebanon 36-0, Samoa thrashed Papua New Guinea 64-6 and New Zealand defeated the Cook Islands 82-16.

England’s 82-0 demolition of France proved the tipping point for Scotland international Lachlan Walmsley, who questioned why his nation had been denied a place in the tournament.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 16: Euan Aitken of Scotland is tackled by Jack Campagnolo of Italy during Rugby League World Cup 2021 Pool B match between Scotland and Italy at Kingston Park on October 16, 2022 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images for RLWC)

Scotland winger Lachlan Walmsley has delivered a blunt assessment of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup format, labelling it “a joke” after watching England demolish France 82-0.

The four-time Scotland international questioned why nations such as Scotland, Wales, Italy and Ireland were excluded while heavy scorelines continued to emerge. He also highlighted Scotland’s 30-14 defeat to Fiji at the 2022 World Cup, arguing that international rugby league was moving backwards.

Italian forward Ryan King backed Walmsley’s criticism, warning that excluding nations meant promising players were missing opportunities to showcase their talent on the world stage.

Both players believe the reduced tournament is costing emerging international teams valuable exposure and opportunities that could change careers.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 17: Haumole Olakau’atu of Tonga celebrates a try during the 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup match between England and Tonga at HBF Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)

England coach Brian McDermott has also raised concerns about the World Cup’s three-team pool format, warning that one defeat can leave teams with little room to recover.

McDermott said the pressure of losing a single match was too severe, with limited opportunities to correct mistakes before the next stage.

With players and coaches questioning the competition’s structure, debate over the 2026 Rugby League World Cup format continues to grow, threatening to overshadow the performances on the field.

Author: Michael B