England captain George Williams has expressed determination and motivation as his team prepares for their opening Rugby League World Cup match against Tonga in Perth. Reflecting on the squad's narrow 27-26 sudden-death semi-final loss to Samoa at the 2022 World Cup, Williams acknowledged that the defeat was among the most difficult of his career.

The loss, which occurred at the Emirates Stadium, left a lasting impact on the team. Williams, whose career includes several Grand Final appearances, described the 2022 semi-final disappointment as particularly challenging to accept. However, he emphasized that the experience has fueled the squad’s drive, with several players still feeling the sting of that defeat and using it as motivation moving forward.

Williams arrived in Perth following a difficult end to his tenure at Warrington Wolves, where he was unable to secure a Grand Final victory to conclude his time with the club. At 31 years old, he is set to continue his professional career in Australia with NRL side the Dolphins after the World Cup concludes.

The upcoming match against Tonga is seen as a potentially pivotal encounter for England as they seek to advance deeper into the tournament, buoyed by lessons learned from past setbacks. Williams’ leadership and experience are expected to play a critical role as the team pursues success on the international stage.