Brian McDermott is convinced that he can craft the strategic formula needed to finally deliver England its inaugural Rugby League World Cup triumph and break the long‑standing Australian hegemony. Appointed on Thursday as the successor to Shaun Wane—who stepped aside in January after a 3-0 Ashes defeat at the hands of the Kangaroos—McDermott now shoulders the responsibility of guiding England to its first world title. Australia, the co‑host nation and reigning champions, have dominated the competition, winning nine of the last ten tournaments.
Their record against England is especially daunting: the English side has not managed a victory over the southern rivals since the 1995 final. Despite these statistics, an impassioned McDermott insists that the performance gap is not insurmountable and that the three‑time runners‑up can finally make the decisive leap. "We need a plan that is tailored to British‑based players, many of whom come from a domestic competition that is fundamentally different from the NRL," McDermott explained.
"A generic, one‑size‑fits‑all approach simply won’t work. We have to devise something specific, a blueprint that reflects our own strengths and the unique challenges we face.
Copying what other nations do will not get us deep into the tournament, let alone to the final." He drew an analogy with boxing, recalling Tyson Fury’s 2015 upset over Wladimir Klitschko. "Fury never pretended his right hand matched Klitschko’s power. He knew he had to fight differently, to use a strategy that the champion wasn’t prepared for.
That’s the kind of mindset we need," McDermott said. "The gap between us and Australia is bridgeable, but only if we stop pretending we can win by simply mirroring their style. We have to innovate, adapt, and play to our own assets." Having out‑performed a roster of seasoned candidates—including former England coaches Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara—to secure the job, McDermott now faces a tight timetable. England’s opening fixture is against Tonga on 17 October, and the new head coach will begin assembling his backroom staff and contacting players while still based in Australia, where he serves as an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans.
The 56‑year‑old addressed concerns about the part‑time nature of the role, noting that modern technology mitigates geographic obstacles. "The internet allows me to watch games, analyse footage and stay connected with the squad in real time," he said. "Even if I were living in the UK, I would probably be meeting players on Zoom anyway.
I already watch plenty of Super League matches without being England coach, so the logistics are manageable." McDermott also signalled his intention to remain beyond the World Cup, describing the appointment as a long‑term commitment rather than a stop‑gap measure. "I would be interested in taking the job beyond the World Cup," he added, hinting at a possible multi‑year tenure aimed at building a sustainable winning culture. One of the early selection topics that has already surfaced is the status of Super League’s Man of Steel, Jake Connor.
Connor was controversially left out of the Ashes squad by Wane last year, sparking a media firestorm. When asked whether the Leeds half‑back features in his plans, McDermott responded unequivocally: "He is, for sure. Absolutely." He went on to defend Connor against what he described as unfair public rhetoric.
"The narrative around Jake has been tremendously one‑sided. Some love him, some don’t, and that’s part of the sport. But debating his character in the public arena doesn’t serve anyone.
What’s indisputable is his talent. He’s a game‑breaker, a player who can turn matches on their head." Beyond squad selection, McDermott emphasised the importance of cultural change within the England set‑up.
He wants to foster a mindset that embraces flexibility, analytical preparation, and a willingness to deviate from traditional playbooks. To that end, he plans to bring in specialist coaches from both rugby league and other high‑performance sports, leveraging data analytics and sports psychology to give his players an edge. The broader context of the upcoming tournament also matters.
The World Cup will be staged across multiple venues in Australia and New Zealand, meaning travel fatigue and acclimatisation will be factors for all teams. McDermott intends to schedule early training camps in the southern hemisphere, allowing his players to adjust to the climate and time zones well before the opening match. He also highlighted the role of the Super League broadcast partnership with Sky Sports, which will televise every game live this season, including exclusive coverage of two matches per round. "Having that level of exposure is fantastic for the sport and for our players," McDermott noted.
"It gives the fans a chance to follow the journey and creates a platform for our youngsters to see what’s possible at the highest level." In summary, McDermott’s message is clear: England can close the performance gap with Australia and win the World Cup, but only if they abandon the notion of simply copying others and instead craft a bespoke, meticulously planned approach. By embracing innovative tactics, leveraging technology, and selecting the right blend of talent—including stand‑outs like Jake Connor—McDermond believes the English side can finally lift the coveted trophy that has eluded them for decades. The countdown to the opening game against Tonga has begun, and with a fresh strategic vision in place, England’s fans have reason to be cautiously optimistic about a historic breakthrough.