Super League players impress as World Cup group stage concludes

The 2026 Rugby League World Cup group stages came to a close this weekend, and once again Super League stars were among the standout performers across the tournament.

England rounded off their World Cup campaign with a 34-12 victory over Papua New Guinea on Friday, though the result was not enough to secure a semi-final berth.

Despite the disappointment, several Super League stars produced notable performances.

Warrington Wolves winger Matty Ashton was England's top metre-maker, racking up 145 metres alongside two line breaks and five tackle busts. Former Wolves captain George Williams also played a key role, providing two try assists.

Hull KR star Mikey Lewis produced one of the moments of the match, scoring a superb try on the hooter with a trademark burst of speed that Robins supporters will hope to see once again in 2027.

Wigan Warriors duo Junior Nsemba and Sam Walters also impressed. Nsemba recorded five tackle busts, while Walters topped the tackle count with 40, more than any other player on the field.

In his final appearance, retiring Robin Rhyse Martin was Papua New Guinea's leading metre-maker with 130 and shared the highest tackle count for the Kumuls with 37.

Leigh Leopards hooker Liam Horne also put a strong shift in, contributing 35 tackles.

Then, Sunday's clash between Lebanon and France delivered one of the games of the tournament, with Super League players at the heart of the action.

An 85th-minute try from Warriors winger Abbas Miski secured a dramatic 24-20 Golden Point victory for Lebanon in a match that had no bearing on qualification but was arguably one of the most entertaining contests so far.

Robins full-back Arthur Mourgue had forced extra time by slotting a two-point drop goal in the 80th minute.

Several Super League French players shone. Jordan Dezaria led France's metre-making with 116, while club teammate Mourgue added 102 and Catalans Dragons youngster Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet followed closely with 94.

Toulouse Olympique's Mathieu Jussaume topped the tackle count with 45, continuing his outstanding defensive efforts shown throughout the 2026 season.

Retiring Catalans veteran Ben Garcia also impressed with 42 tackles, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished playing career.

Finally, the game everyone had been waiting for certainly lived up to the hype as Tonga versus Samoa served up a classic.

Huddersfield Giants playmaker Tui Lolohea started at half-back for Tonga and was influential once again, registering a try assist, six tackle busts, a line break and a line break assist as Tonga booked their place in the semi-finals in style.

Super League champion and Wakefield Trinity’s Jazz Tevaga also lined up for Samoa, completing 18 tackles.

With the group stages now complete, the World Cup semi-finals have been confirmed, with New Zealand set to face Tonga and Australia taking on Samoa.