The Agenda Setters Rugby League on Channel 7: ‘That’s a bit disrespectful’ – James Graham and Aaron Woods clash over England – James Graham and Aaron Woods went head to head on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League tonight, after Woods questioned England’s Rugby League World Cup performance against Tonga.
Graham and Woods joined Corey Parker and David Riccio on the Channel 7 panel to discuss the biggest topics in rugby league. The World Cup is airing on Channel 7 and 7plus, and TV Central has the Rugby League World Cup 2026 opening-week times by city.
Graham defends England on The Agenda Setters Rugby League
Former England captain Graham opened the exchange by asking Woods whether he had watched the game.
James Graham: “Did you watch the game, Woodsy?”
Aaron Woods: “Yeah, I did watch the game.”
James Graham: “They actually played… England played really well. It’s more nuanced than that. It’s surely more nuanced than saying that they played poorly. I was… I watched the game and every player that represented England, they put in effort.”
Woods: ‘The lack of execution was poor’
However, Woods stood his ground on England’s execution.
Aaron Woods: “They cared. I’m not saying they didn’t put effort. I just thought the lack of execution was poor. Trying to score for every play, like, play to your strengths. Go out there and do what the other sides have done. Show up for your teammate. You leaked 30 points to a Tongan squad. Yeah, the ball to Hamole was a soft try, but the ball bounced up and there was no one there to cover and take it.”
‘That’s a bit disrespectful’ to Tonga
Graham then took issue with how Woods had described Tonga.
James Graham: “What are you saying about Tonga? I think that’s a bit disrespectful to them. They went into the game as clear favourites.”
Aaron Woods: “No, I think… No, they weren’t clear favourites. They were.”
The exchange aired at 7.45pm AEDT on The Agenda Setters: Rugby League on Channel 7 and 7plus.
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