England rugby league captain George Williams has reflected on the team’s narrow semi-final loss at the 2022 Rugby League World Cup as they prepare for their opening match against Tonga in Perth. Williams, who led England during last year’s tournament, described the 27-26 sudden-death defeat to Samoa at the Emirates Stadium as the most difficult loss of his career.

Speaking ahead of the World Cup, Williams acknowledged that the setback remains a powerful source of motivation for both himself and his teammates. “The one in the last World Cup was probably the most difficult loss of my career to date,” he said. “It does sit there and you can’t hide away from what happened, but it can give you the drive and motivation and there’s still players in the group who felt that.”

Williams entered the tournament coming off another disappointment, having fallen short of leading Warrington Wolves to their first Grand Final victory during his time with the club. At 31, he is set to continue his career in Australia, signing with the NRL’s Dolphins following the conclusion of the World Cup.

The England captain’s remarks underscore the team’s resolve to build on past experiences as they seek success in this year’s competition. Their opening match against Tonga in Perth is seen as a critical step in their campaign, with Williams and his teammates aiming to apply the lessons learned from previous defeats to their advantage.