Brian McDermott is convinced that he can craft the missing piece of strategy that will finally deliver England’s long‑awaited Rugby League World Cup victory and bring an end to Australia’s decades‑long supremacy. The former Gold Coast Titans assistant has been appointed as England’s head coach, taking over from Shaun Wane, who stepped down in January after a 3‑0 whitewash in the Ashes series against the Kangaroos. McDermott now faces the daunting task of guiding England to its inaugural World Cup triumph, a goal that has eluded the Three Lions for more than a generation.
Australia, who are co‑hosts of the tournament and the defending champions, have dominated the competition, winning nine of the last ten World Cups. The Australians also boast a psychological edge, having not lost to England since the 1995 final. Yet McDermott remains undaunted.
He argues that the perceived gulf between the two nations is not an insurmountable chasm but a bridge that can be crossed with the right approach. "You need a plan that is tailored to British‑based players and a competition that looks very different from the NRL," McDermott explained. "A generic, one‑size‑fits‑all playbook won’t work. We have to develop a strategy that is uniquely ours, not a copy of what other nations are doing.
If we want to go deep into the tournament, our game plan has to reflect our strengths and the realities of the Super League environment." To illustrate his point, McDermott drew a parallel with heavyweight boxing. He recalled how Tyson Fury, in his 2015 bout against Wladimir Klitschko, openly admitted that his right hand was not as powerful as the Ukrainian champion’s.
Rather than trying to match Klitschko punch for punch, Fury adopted a completely different tactical approach, using movement, angles and a high work rate to neutralise the champion’s strengths. The result was a stunning upset that reshaped the boxing landscape. "Fury didn’t try to fight Klitschko on his terms; he changed the game plan and succeeded," McDermott said.
"The same principle applies to rugby league. The gap between England and Australia is bridgeable, but only if we stop pretending we can beat them by copying their style. We have to be honest about our own assets and devise a plan that exploits the weaknesses in the Australian setup." McDermott’s confidence is not mere bravado. He earned the England job after out‑competing a strong field that included former coaches Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara.
His first assignment will be to assemble a coaching team and begin outreach to the player pool – tasks he will start from Australia, where he remains on the Titans’ staff. Although some observers have questioned the feasibility of a part‑time head coach who lives overseas, McDermott is confident that modern technology will mitigate any logistical hurdles.
"The internet makes it possible to watch games, analyse footage and communicate with staff and players in real time," he noted. "Even if I were based in the UK, I would probably be meeting most of the squad on Zoom anyway.
The geography is a challenge, but it’s not a barrier." McDermott also signalled his intention to stay beyond the World Cup, indicating a desire for continuity that could help embed his ideas over several seasons. "I’m interested in taking the job beyond the tournament," he said, hinting at a longer‑term vision for English rugby league. One of the early talking points surrounding his appointment has been the status of Leeds’ half‑back Jake Connor, who was controversially left out of the Ashes squad by Wane. McDermott made it clear that Connor is very much in his plans.
"He is, absolutely," McDermott affirmed when asked about the Leeds star. "The narrative around Jake has been unfair. Some people love him, others don’t – that’s part of the sport.
But the fact is he is a phenomenal player, a real game‑breaker. Whatever the off‑field chatter, his talent on the field is undeniable." Looking ahead, England’s World Cup campaign opens against Tonga on 17 October. That match will be the first real test of McDermott’s ideas and the first opportunity for him to see his concepts in action on the world stage. The coach is aware that the road to the final will be fraught with challenges, but he believes that a combination of strategic innovation, player empowerment and a clear, bespoke game plan can tip the balance.
Beyond the tactical side, McDermott emphasised the importance of mental preparation. He wants the squad to shed any lingering belief that Australia is unbeatable. "If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they’re not listening," he warned.
"We can win. We can absolutely win, but we have to do some things differently." The broader rugby league community will be watching closely, not only because England hopes to break a 30‑year World Cup drought, but also because McDermott’s appointment represents a fresh approach to international coaching – one that blends Southern Hemisphere experience with a deep understanding of the British game. As the tournament approaches, fans can expect a flurry of tactical tweaks, player selections and perhaps a few bold experiments as England seeks to rewrite its history. All of the Super League fixtures will be broadcast live on Sky Sports this season, with two matches per round shown exclusively, and the remaining five games streamed each week on the network’s platform.
This coverage will give supporters ample opportunity to track the form of potential England selections and gauge how McDermott’s ideas are taking shape on the club level before the World Cup kicks off.