Brian McDermott is convinced that he can craft the blueprint needed to finally secure England’s inaugural Rugby League World Cup victory 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 by the Kangaroos—McDermott now carries the weight of delivering the nation’s first world‑championship title.
Australia, the co‑hosts and defending champions, have dominated the tournament, lifting the trophy nine times in the last ten editions. For England, a side that has not bested the Aussies since the 1995 final, the challenge appears formidable. Yet McDermpson’s enthusiasm is unmistakable: he believes the disparity is not insurmountable and that the three‑time runners‑up can finally make the decisive leap. "We need a strategy that is tailored to British‑based players, many of whom come from a competition that differs markedly from the NRL," McDermott explained.
"A one‑size‑fits‑all approach won’t work. We must devise a plan that is specific to our strengths and our context, not simply copy what other nations are doing.
If we want to go deep into the tournament, our tactics have to look different." He drew a parallel with boxing legend Tyson Fury’s 2015 upset over Wladimir Klitschko. Fury openly admitted that his right hand could not match Klitschko’s power, so he abandoned the conventional approach and employed a game plan that caught the champion off‑guard.
"He did something different, used a strategy Klitschko wasn’t prepared for, and it paid off. Take whatever lesson you need from that," McDermott said. "The gap between us and Australia is bridgeable, and the competition is winnable – but not if we pretend we can stand toe‑to‑toe with Klitschko and claim our right hand is as strong as his," he added. "If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they aren’t listening.
We can win, absolutely, but we must change the way we operate." After out‑maneuvering a roster of high‑profile candidates—including former England greats Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara—to secure the head‑coach role, McDermott now faces a tight timetable. England’s World Cup opener against Tonga is scheduled for 17 October, giving him little time to assemble a coaching team, contact players, and lay down his initial structures.
He will be undertaking much of this work from Australia, where he remains an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans. At 56, McDermott downplayed concerns about the part‑time nature of the job. He has signed a contract that runs through the end of the tournament and insists that modern technology mitigates any geographical hurdles.
"The internet allows me to watch games, analyse footage and share a vision even from across the globe," he said. "I already keep up with Super League fixtures without being the England coach. Ironically, even if I were based in the UK I’d probably be meeting players on Zoom anyway." He also hinted that he would be interested in staying on after the World Cup, suggesting a longer‑term commitment to the national side. "I would be interested in taking the job beyond the World Cup," McDermott affirmed, indicating that his ambitions extend beyond a single tournament.
One of the first names he addressed was Leeds’ half‑back 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 plans, McDermott replied unequivocally: "He is, for sure.
Absolutely." He went on to criticize the media narrative surrounding Connor, calling it “tremendously unfair.” McDermott acknowledged that the player polarises opinion—"some love him, some don’t"—but argued that such debates are irrelevant to selection. "What nobody can argue is that he’s a tremendous player.
He’s a game‑breaker," McDermott asserted, promising that talent will be the primary criterion. Beyond the coaching and selection issues, the broader rugby league landscape will continue to be broadcast by Sky Sports, which will again televise every Super League match live this season, including two exclusive live games each round and the remaining fixtures shown throughout the week. In summary, McDermott’s message to England’s fans and players is clear: the historical dominance of Australia can be challenged, but it will require a bespoke tactical approach, honest self‑assessment, and a willingness to deviate from the playbook that has served other nations.
By embracing innovation, leveraging technology, and focusing on the unique attributes of British‑based talent, he believes England can finally bridge the gap and lift the coveted World Cup trophy for the first time in its history.