Brian McDermott is convinced that he can craft the strategic formula England needs to finally secure its inaugural Rugby League World Cup triumph and put an end to Australia’s long‑standing supremacy. Appointed on Thursday as the successor to Shaun Wane—who stepped down in January after a 3‑0 Ashes defeat at the hands of the Kangaroos—McDermott now carries the weight of delivering England’s first World Cup trophy. Australia, the co‑hosts and defending champions, have dominated the modern era of the competition, winning nine of the last ten tournaments. They also present a formidable psychological barrier: England has not recorded a victory over the Aussies since the 1995 final.
Despite that daunting history, McDermott insists the disparity is not insurmountable and that the three‑time runners‑up can finally make the leap to champions. "We need a plan that is tailored to British‑based players, a squad that largely competes in a competition very different to the NRL," McDermott explained. "It can’t be a generic blueprint copied from other nations.
If we want to progress deep into the tournament, our approach must be unique and specific to our strengths." He drew a parallel with boxing legend Tyson Fury’s 2015 upset of Wladimir Klitschko. Fury openly acknowledged that his right hand could not match the power of Klitschko’s, yet he refused to engage in a straight‑up punch‑for‑punch battle. Instead, he adopted a different game plan that exploited Klitschko’s weaknesses, and the strategy paid off. McDermott used the anecdote to illustrate his point about England’s situation.
"When Fury faced Klitschko, he didn’t pretend his right hand was as strong as his opponent’s. He changed the tactics, used a plan that Klitschko wasn’t prepared for, and he won.
The lesson here is simple: you can bridge the gap and win, but only if you stop pretending you’re already equal and start doing things differently," McDermott said. He added, "If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they’re not listening.
We can win. We can absolutely win. But we have to do some things differently." Having out‑performed a roster of seasoned candidates—including former England coaches Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara—to claim the head‑coach role, McDermott now faces a tight timetable.
England’s opening match of the World Cup is set for 17 October against Tonga, and the new boss will need to assemble his back‑room staff, establish communication channels with players, and begin the selection process—all while still based in Australia as an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans. The 56‑year‑old addressed concerns about the part‑time nature of his appointment. He signed a contract that runs through the end of the tournament and emphasised that modern technology mitigates any geographical hurdles.
"It does pose some challenges, but with the internet nowadays I can watch games and see the vision I need," McDermott said. "I already watch enough Super League games without being England coach.
The irony is, even if I were based in the UK, I’d probably meet players on Zoom anyway. I would be interested in taking the job beyond the World Cup." McDermott also used the opportunity to extend an olive branch to Leeds’s Man of Steel, Jake Connor, who was controversially left out of the squad for last year’s Ashes by Shaun Wane. When asked whether Connor would feature in his World Cup plans, McDermott responded unequivocally.
"He is, for sure. Absolutely.
I think the rhetoric and narrative around Jake was tremendously unfair. I understand where he comes from – he’s liked by some and disliked by others. That comes with the nature of the game.
We could sit around a table and debate whether he’s a nice person or not, but that’s not a fair narrative to make public. What nobody can argue is that he’s a tremendous player.
He’s fantastic. He’s a game‑breaker." Beyond the tactical and personnel considerations, McDermton highlighted the broader cultural shift he wants to inspire within the England set‑up.
He wants players to embrace a mindset that recognises Australia’s strengths but refuses to be intimidated by them. He plans to incorporate analytical tools, video breakdowns, and a more aggressive defensive structure that mirrors successful elements of Super League play while adapting them to the faster, more physical style of international competition. The coaching staff he intends to recruit will include specialists in defence, attack, sports psychology, and data analytics.
By blending the experience of seasoned Super League coaches with fresh perspectives from the NRL, McDermton hopes to create a hybrid model that maximises the talent pool available in the UK. In terms of preparation, McDermton intends to schedule a series of training camps in both the UK and Australia, allowing the squad to acclimatise to different playing conditions and to build cohesion among players who normally compete for rival clubs. He also plans to organise a handful of warm‑up fixtures against strong opposition, possibly including a match against a Pacific Island side, to test his game plan under pressure.
The stakes are high. England have been runners‑up three times, most recently in 2017, and the nation’s fans are eager for a breakthrough. If McDermton’s approach can blend tactical innovation with the raw talent of players like Connor, Sam Tomkins, and emerging Super League stars, the gap with Australia may indeed be bridgeable.
The upcoming World Cup will be the first real test of whether his ideas can translate into a historic victory. For viewers, Sky Sports has confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League match live this season, with two exclusive live fixtures each round and the remaining five games shown on the main Sky Sports channels. This comprehensive coverage will give fans ample opportunity to follow the domestic competition that feeds the England squad, providing context and excitement as the World Cup approaches.