England's new Rugby League World Cup coach, Brian McDermott, is optimistic about devising a strategy to overcome Australia's long-standing dominance and secure England's first World Cup title. McDermott, who was recently appointed as the successor to Shaun Wane, believes the gap between England and Australia can be bridged, and that England can win the World Cup with the right approach. He emphasized the need for a specific plan tailored to the British-based players and the Super League competition, rather than copying other nations' strategies.
McDermott drew an analogy with boxer Tyson Fury's victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, where Fury used an unorthodox game plan to outmaneuver his opponent. McDermott is set to begin his tenure by assembling his coaching staff and contacting players, and has expressed his desire to stay on as England coach beyond the World Cup.
He has also extended an olive branch to Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor, who was controversially omitted from the England team last year, stating that Connor is part of his World Cup plans and praising him as a 'tremendous player' and 'game-breaker'.