Brian McDermott is confident that he can craft the blueprint needed to finally break England’s long wait for a Rugby League World Cup crown and put an end to Australia’s historic dominance. Appointed on Thursday as the successor to Shaun Wane—who resigned in January after a 3-0 Ashes whitewash at the hands of the Kangaroos—McDermott now bears the responsibility of delivering England’s inaugural World Cup triumph. Australia, who co‑host the tournament and enter as defending champions, have won nine of the last ten World Cups. They represent a formidable barrier for an English side that has not recorded a victory over the southern hemisphere giants since 1995.
Yet McDermott, speaking with unmistakable passion, insists that the disparity is surmountable and that England, three‑time runners‑up, are ready to take the final step toward glory. "We need a strategy 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, one‑size‑fits‑all plan. We cannot simply copy what other nations are doing.
If we intend to progress deep into the tournament, our approach must look distinct from everyone else’s." He drew a parallel with boxing, recalling Tyson Fury’s 2015 upset over Wladimir Klitschko. "When Fury stepped into the ring, he was unapologetic about not having a right hand as strong as Klitschko’s. He knew he couldn’t simply trade punches on equal terms, so he devised a game plan that Klitschko wasn’t prepared for and he executed it flawlessly.
Take that lesson and apply it to rugby league." McDermott added, "The gap between us and Australia is bridgeable, and the competition is winnable – but only if we stop pretending we can match Klitschko punch‑for‑punch. If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they aren’t listening. We can win, we can absolutely win, but we must do things differently." Having out‑performed the likes of Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara in the selection process, McDermott now faces a tight timetable before England’s opening World Cup match against Tonga on 17 October. His immediate priorities include assembling a coaching team, establishing communication channels with the playing group, and beginning the scouting and selection process.
All of this will initially be coordinated from Australia, where he continues to serve as an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL. At 56, McDermtt addressed concerns about the part‑time nature of his appointment. He signed a contract that runs through the end of the World Cup and emphasised that modern technology mitigates geographic obstacles.
"The internet allows me to watch games, analyse footage and keep a clear vision of what we need to achieve. 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." He also hinted that his commitment could extend beyond the tournament. "I would be interested in taking the job beyond the World Cup," he said, suggesting a longer‑term plan to build a sustainable English programme capable of challenging Australia on a regular basis.
McDermott used the interview to clear the air around Leeds half‑back Jake Connor, who was controversially omitted from the Ashes squad by Wane last year. When asked whether Connor features in his World Cup plans, McDermott answered unequivocally: "He is, for sure.
Absolutely. The rhetoric surrounding Jake was hugely unfair.
He’s a player who divides opinion—some love him, some don’t—but that’s part of any sport. The public debate about his personality is irrelevant compared to the undeniable fact that he is a tremendous player, a game‑breaker, and a talent we need." Looking ahead, McDermott’s challenge will be to translate his strategic vision into on‑field performance.
He must adapt English club structures, which operate under Super League rules, to a tournament environment dominated by the faster, more physical NRL style. This will involve tweaking training regimes, emphasizing defensive patterns that counter Australian attacking flair, and fostering a mental resilience that can withstand the pressure of a World Cup knockout format. The broader context of the tournament also adds intrigue. With Sky Sports confirming that every Super League match will be broadcast live this season—including two exclusive live fixtures per round and additional coverage for the remaining games—English fans will have unprecedented access to both domestic and international rugby league.
This exposure could help bridge the experience gap, allowing players and coaches to study Australian tactics in real time and incorporate lessons into their own preparations. In summary, McDermott’s appointment signals a fresh approach for England. By rejecting a copy‑cat strategy, embracing technology, and committing to a long‑term vision, he believes the English side can finally close the decades‑long gap with Australia and secure the nation’s first Rugby League World Cup title.
The upcoming weeks will test his ideas, but the message is clear: England is ready to rewrite its history, and the world will be watching.