The draw for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup was announced yesterday, July 19, by its organising committee. Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea have been confirmed as the hosts of the World Cup, from October 27 to December 2 next year. Tonga will play in pool B of the World Cup matched up against New Zealand, Samoa and Scotland.

The draw features 14 countries in four different pools with 11 countries already confirmed:

1. Tonga,
2. Fiji,
3. Samoa,
4. New Zealand,
5. Australia,
6. Papua New Guinea,
7. England,
8. France,
9. Lebanon,
10. Scotland
11. United States.

Three other countries will be confirmed from a European Qualifying tournament to take place later this year in October and November. Wales, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, Italy and Spain will play in the European qualifying tournament.

A total of 28 games will be played over five weeks. In its first World Cup game against Scotland’s Bravehearts on 29 October 2017 the Mate Ma’a Tonga will be seeking to redeem its poor performance in the 2013 World Cup where it suffered an upset loss to Scotland and failed to advance to the knockout stages of the competition.

Draw for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup

Pool A: Australia, England, France, Lebanon

Pool B: New Zealand, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga

Pool C: Papua New Guinea, qualifier 1, qualifier II

Pool D: Fiji, the United States, qualifier -3

Tonga’s Scheduled Games

Tonga vs Scotland (29 October 2017) at Barlow Park, Cairns, Australia

Tonga vs Samoa (4 November 2017) at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand

Tonga vs New Zealand (11 November 2017) at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand