Brian McDermott is confident he can devise the blueprint that finally delivers England’s first Rugby League World Cup triumph and puts an end to Australia’s long‑standing supremacy. Appointed on Thursday as the successor to Shaun Wane—who resigned in January after a 3-0 Ashes whitewash by the Kangaroos—McDermott inherits a monumental task: to guide England to a historic victory over a side that has claimed nine of the last ten World Cups and has not been beaten by England since 1995.
The Australian team, both co‑host and defending champion, presents a formidable barrier for the three‑time runners‑up. Yet McDermott insists the disparity is not insurmountable.
“We need a strategy that fits British‑based players, many of whom compete in a competition that differs dramatically from the NRL,” he explained. “It has to be a specific plan, not a generic copy of what other nations are doing. If we want to go deep into the tournament, our approach must look different.” He drew a parallel with boxing legend Tyson Fury’s 2015 upset of Wladimir Klitschko.
Fury openly admitted his right hand was not as powerful as Klitschko’s and refused to engage in a straight‑up punch‑for‑punch battle. Instead, he adopted a game plan that forced Klitschko out of his comfort zone and secured the win.
"The gap is bridgeable and the competition is winnable – but not if you pretend you have the same strengths as your opponent," McDermott said. "If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they’re not listening.
We can win, but we have to do things differently." After out‑pacing a shortlist that included Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara, McDermott now faces the countdown to England’s opening World Cup match against Tonga on 17 October. His immediate priorities are assembling a coaching team and initiating contact with the playing squad. Although he will be operating from Australia, where he remains an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans, he believes modern technology will mitigate any logistical hurdles. "The internet allows me to watch games and develop a vision from afar," he noted.
"Even if I were based in the UK, I’d probably be meeting players on Zoom anyway." McDermott also clarified that his contract runs through the end of the tournament, but he is open to a longer‑term role. "I would be interested in taking the job beyond the World Cup," he added, signalling his ambition to build a lasting programme rather than a short‑term fix. One of the most talked‑about selections for the upcoming squad is 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 will feature in his World Cup plans, McDermott was unequivocal: "He is, for sure. Absolutely." He also criticized the narrative surrounding Connor, describing it as unfair.
"He’s a tremendous player, a game‑breaker. The debate about his personality belongs off the public stage; what matters is his ability on the field." Beyond the coaching and selection issues, the broader context of the tournament is also shifting. Sky Sports has confirmed it will broadcast every Super League match live this season, offering two exclusive live fixtures per round and covering the remaining five matches each week on its main channels. This increased exposure could provide English players with more high‑quality footage to study Australian tactics and refine their own game plans.
In summary, McDermott’s message is clear: England can close the historic gap with Australia, but success will require a tailored strategy, honest self‑assessment, and a willingness to deviate from conventional playbooks. By leveraging technology, embracing innovative coaching, and selecting in‑form talent like Jake Connor, the new head coach believes his side can finally lift the World Cup trophy for the first time.
The journey begins on 17 October, and the rugby league world will be watching to see whether McDermott’s blueprint can turn long‑standing ambition into reality.