Brian McDermott is convinced he can craft the strategic formula that will finally deliver England its first Rugby League World Cup crown and bring an end to Australia’s long‑standing supremacy. Appointed on Thursday as the successor to Shaun Wane—who resigned in January after a 3‑0 Ashes defeat at the hands of the Aussies—McDermott now carries the weight of expectation that England will break its historic drought and claim the tournament trophy. Australia, the co‑hosts and defending champions, have dominated the competition, winning nine of the last ten World Cups.
They also present a formidable hurdle for an English side that has not tasted victory over the Kangaroos since 1995. Despite the daunting statistics, McDermott’s fervent confidence is clear: the performance gap is bridgeable, and England, now three‑time runners‑up, can take that final decisive step. "We need a plan that is tailored to British‑based players and a squad that largely competes in a competition very different from the NRL," McDermott explained.
"It can’t be a generic blueprint that simply mimics what other nations are doing. If we want to progress deep into the tournament, our approach has to be distinct and specific to our strengths." He drew an analogy to boxing, recalling Tyson Fury’s 2015 upset over Wladimir Klitschko.
"Fury was unapologetic about not having a right hand as powerful as Klitschko’s. He didn’t try to trade punches on equal terms; instead, he employed a game plan that Klitschko wasn’t prepared for and that secured the win. The lesson for us is the same: we must innovate, not imitate." McDermott stressed that the gap between England and Australia is not insurmountable, but it will require England to abandon the mindset of simply standing in front of a stronger opponent and pretending parity exists.
"If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they’re not listening. We can win, absolutely.
But we have to do some things differently," he asserted. Having out‑performed seasoned candidates such as Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara to earn the England job, McDermton now faces a tight timeline. England’s opening World Cup match against Tonga is scheduled for 17 October, and the new coach’s immediate priorities are assembling his backroom staff and making initial contact with the player pool.
He will be handling these tasks from Australia, where he remains an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL. At 56, McDermott addressed concerns about the part‑time nature of the role, noting that his contract runs through the end of the World Cup and that modern technology mitigates geographical barriers.
"The internet allows me to watch games, analyse footage and maintain a clear vision of what we need to achieve," he said. "I already watch plenty of Super League matches without being England coach. Ironically, even if I were based in the UK, I would probably be meeting players on Zoom anyway. I am also interested in staying beyond the World Cup, should the opportunity arise." McDermott also used the interview to extend an olive branch to Super League’s Man of Steel, Leeds half‑back Jake Connor, who was controversially left out of the Ashes squad by Wane last year.
When asked whether Connor features in his plans, McDermton responded unequivocally: "He is, for sure. Absolutely.
The narrative around Jake has been unfair. Some love him, some don’t—that’s part of the sport. But the public debate about his character is irrelevant; what matters is his on‑field ability.
He is a tremendous player, a game‑breaker, and he belongs in the squad." Beyond the coaching and player selection issues, the broader context of the tournament is also evolving. Sky Sports has confirmed it will broadcast every Super League match this season, offering live coverage of two games per round and streaming the remaining five matches each week. This increased exposure promises to raise the profile of the sport and give fans more opportunities to follow both domestic leagues and the international World Cup campaign. In summary, McDermott’s mandate is clear: devise a uniquely British strategy, harness the talent available in the Super League, and challenge the Australian juggernaut with fresh tactics and a belief that the historic gap can indeed be closed.
With a blend of analytical preparation, modern communication tools, and a willingness to break from convention, the new England head coach aims to turn the long‑awaited dream of a World Cup triumph into a tangible reality. The weeks leading up to the opening match will be crucial as he finalises his coaching team, selects his squad, and begins to instil the distinctive game plan that he believes will finally bring the coveted trophy home.