Brian McDermott is convinced that he can craft the strategic blueprint needed to finally secure England's inaugural Rugby League World Cup crown 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 whitewash at the hands of the Australians—McDermott now carries the weight of delivering England’s first World Cup triumph. Australia, the co‑hosts and defending champions, have dominated the tournament, winning nine of the past ten editions. They present a formidable hurdle for an English side that has not managed a victory over the Kangaroos since 1995.
Yet McDermott, speaking with palpable passion, insists that the disparity between the two nations is surmountable and that England, now three‑time runners‑up, can make the decisive leap forward. "We need a plan that is tailored specifically for British‑based players, many of whom come from a competition that is fundamentally different to the NRL," McDermott explained. "It can’t be a generic, one‑size‑fits‑all approach. We cannot simply copy what other countries are doing; the strategy must look distinct if we intend to progress deep into the tournament." He drew a parallel with boxing legend Tyson Fury’s 2015 upset over Wladimir Klitschko.
"When Fury faced Klitschko, he was upfront about not having a right hand as powerful as his opponent’s. He knew he couldn’t meet him punch for punch. Instead, he adopted a completely different game plan—one that Klitschko wasn’t prepared for—and that earned him the victory. The lesson for us is clear: we must innovate, not imitate." McDermott emphasized that the gap to Australia is "bridgeable" and that the competition is "winnable," but only if England abandons the notion of simply matching Australia’s style.
"If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they aren’t listening. We can win, we can absolutely win, but we have to do things differently," he said. After out‑pacing a roster of seasoned candidates—including former England coaches Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara—to secure the role, McDermott now turns his attention to the upcoming World Cup opener against Tonga on 17 October. His immediate priorities involve assembling a capable coaching team and reaching out to players for the first time—tasks he will initially perform from Australia, where he continues to serve as an assistant coach with the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans.
Addressing concerns about the part‑time nature of his appointment, McDermott highlighted the modern advantages of digital connectivity. "Yes, the geography presents challenges, but with today’s internet I can watch games, analyse footage and keep a clear vision of what we need to achieve," he noted. "I already follow enough Super League action without being England coach. Ironically, even if I were based in the UK, I’d probably still be meeting players on Zoom." He also signalled a desire to remain in the role beyond the World Cup, stating, "I would be interested in taking the job beyond the tournament," indicating a long‑term commitment to developing English rugby league.
In a notable gesture toward Super League’s Man of Steel Jake Connor—who was controversially left out of last year’s Ashes squad by Wane—McDermott confirmed the Leeds half‑back is firmly in his World Cup plans. "He is, for sure. Absolutely," McDermond said when asked about Connor’s status. He went on to criticize the media narrative surrounding the player, describing it as "tremendously unfair" and pointing out that opinions about Connor’s personality are irrelevant to his on‑field impact.
"What nobody can argue is that he’s a tremendous player. He’s fantastic. He’s a game‑breaker," McDermott asserted. Beyond the coaching and selection aspects, the broader rugby league landscape will continue to be showcased on Sky Sports, which will broadcast every Super League match this season, including two exclusive live fixtures each round and additional coverage throughout the week.
Looking ahead, McDermott’s challenge is to translate his strategic vision into tangible results on the field. He must meld the distinct styles of British‑based talent with insights gleaned from the NRL, craft a game plan that exploits Australia’s vulnerabilities, and foster a squad culture that embraces innovation over tradition.
If he can achieve these objectives, England may finally close the decades‑long gap with the Kangaroos and lift the coveted World Cup trophy for the first time in its history.