Brian McDermott is confident that he can craft the strategic formula needed to finally deliver England its inaugural Rugby League World Cup triumph and put an end to Australia’s long‑standing supremacy. Having been appointed on Thursday as the successor to Shaun Wane—who resigned in January after a 3‑0 Ashes defeat to the Kangaroos—McDermott now bears the responsibility of guiding England to its first world‑title.
Australia, the co‑hosts and defending champions, have dominated the competition, winning nine of the last ten tournaments, and they remain a formidable obstacle for an English side that has not bested them since the 1995 final. Despite the daunting statistics, McDermott insists the performance gap between the two nations is surmountable and that England, a three‑time runner‑up, can finally make the decisive leap. “We need a plan that is tailored specifically for British‑based players, many of whom come from a domestic competition that is fundamentally different from the NRL,” he explained. “A generic, one‑size‑fits‑all approach simply won’t work.
We can’t just copy what other countries are doing; our strategy has to be distinct if we hope to progress deep into the tournament.” He drew a parallel with boxing legend Tyson Fury’s 2015 victory over Wladimir Klitschko. Fury openly acknowledged that his right hand was not as powerful as Klitschko’s, and he refused to engage in a straight‑up punch‑for‑punch battle.
Instead, he adopted an unconventional game plan that caught the champion off‑guard and secured the win. “When Fury realized he couldn’t match Klitschko punch for punch, he changed tactics and succeeded. The lesson for us is the same: we must innovate, not merely imitate,” McDermott said. The new England head coach emphasized that the gap is “bridgeable” and the tournament “winnable,” but only if the team abandons the illusion that they can simply stand toe‑to‑toe with a powerhouse like Australia without adjusting their approach.
“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 some things differently,” he added. McDermott’s appointment came after a competitive selection process in which he out‑performed notable candidates such as former England coaches Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara. With his contract now secured through the end of the World Cup, the next step is to assemble a coaching team and begin contacting players – tasks he will initially carry out 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 the role, the 56‑year‑old acknowledged the logistical challenges but stressed that modern technology mitigates many of them. “The internet allows me to watch games, analyse footage and stay connected with the squad even when I’m not physically in the UK,” he said.
“I already watch plenty of Super League matches without being the England coach. In fact, even if I were based in Britain, I’d probably still meet players via Zoom. The digital age makes remote coaching feasible.” McDermott also hinted that he is interested in extending his involvement beyond the World Cup, suggesting a longer‑term commitment to the national side if the results are positive. He used the opportunity to extend an olive branch to Leeds’ 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 replied unequivocally: “He is definitely in my thoughts. The narrative around Jake has been unfair and overly politicised.
Regardless of personal opinions, there is no denying his talent. He is a game‑breaker, a player capable of turning matches on their head.” Looking ahead, England’s opening match of the tournament is scheduled for 17 October against Tonga, a fixture that will serve as an early test of McDermott’s new ideas and squad selections. The coach plans to use the early games to fine‑tune tactics, build cohesion among players who are accustomed to different playing styles, and instil a belief that the historic dominance of Australia can indeed be challenged.
Beyond the tactical considerations, McDermott highlighted the importance of cultural shift within the England camp. He wants players to embrace a mindset that values adaptability, resilience and creativity over simply trying to match the physicality of Australian opponents. “We have to be smarter, not just stronger,” he said. “If we can combine the skill set of our Super League stars with a clear, bespoke game plan, we can create the conditions for an upset.” The broader rugby league community will be watching closely.
Sky Sports has confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League match live this season, including two exclusive live games each round and additional coverage of five matches per week. This extensive exposure will provide fans and analysts alike with ample material to assess how McDermott’s strategies evolve and whether England can truly close the gap with the sport’s perennial powerhouse.
In summary, Brian McDermott enters his tenure as England head coach with a clear message: the historical advantage held by Australia is not immutable. By crafting a tailored, innovative approach, leveraging modern technology for remote coordination, and giving due credit to standout players like Jake Connor, he believes England can not only compete but also win the Rugby League World Cup. The upcoming fixtures, beginning with the clash against Tonga, will be the first real indicator of whether his vision can be turned into reality.