Tonga’s national rugby league men’s team will be based in Liverpool and St Helens during the Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) next year announced the tournament organisers today.

St Helens is where Tonga’s coach, Kristian Woolf, is currently based as head coach for the Saints Rugby League Team.

RLWC2021 Chief Executive Jon Dutton, said today marks another hugely exciting milestone on the road to Rugby League World Cup 2021 as we celebrate 500 days until the opening fixture at St James' Park in October next year.

“We can’t wait to see the exciting Tonga side at the World Cup in 2021, and I’m sure the people of Liverpool and St Helens will welcome them into the town with open arms. The nations can look forward to a brilliant atmosphere in all of our fantastic host towns and cities.”

The RLWC2021 has today also revealed new branding for the tournament, celebrating the power of together, focusing on human interest stories and emotional connections, with the goal of connecting with a universal audience. 

“Our refreshed tournament identity and today’s team base announcement can serve as an exciting reminder for the competing nations of what’s to come in 2021, and give our hosts the first glimpse into who they can expect to see in their home town as we continue to build momentum towards what promises to be the biggest and best ever Rugby League World Cup,” said Dutton.

For the first time, RLWC2021 will also include a women’s and a wheelchair competition.

Thirty two teams from 21 nations will be based in different locations as follows:

• Bolton – France (Men’s)
• Doncaster – Samoa (Men’s)
• Hull – Fiji (Men’s)
• Leeds – Jamaica, Ireland (Men’s) | England, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Canada (Women’s)
• Liverpool and St Helens – Tonga, Italy (Men’s teams)
• London – England, Australia, Norway, Spain (Wheelchair)
• Manchester – England, Australia (Men’s)
• Newcastle – Scotland (Men’s)
• Preston – Wales (Men’s)
• Sheffield – Greece (Men’s) | France, Wales, Scotland, USA (Wheelchair)
• Tees Valley – Cook Islands (Men’s)
• Warrington – Papua New Guinea (Men’s)
• Wigan/Leigh – Lebanon (Men’s)
• York – New Zealand (Men’s) | Australia, New Zealand, France, Cook Islands (Women’s)