Brian McDermott is convinced he can craft the strategy that finally delivers England’s long‑awaited Rugby League World Cup victory and puts an end to Australia’s historic dominance. Appointed on Thursday as the successor to Shaun Wane—who stepped down in January after a 3-0 Ashes defeat to the Kangaroos—McDermott inherits the daunting task of guiding England to its first World Cup triumph. Australia, the co‑hosts and defending champions, have won nine of the last ten World Cups and present a formidable barrier for an English side that has not tasted victory over the southern giants since 1995. Yet the newly‑appointed head coach insists the gap between the two nations is bridgeable and that England, now three‑time runners‑up, can make the final leap.
"We need a plan that fits British‑based players and a squad that largely competes in a competition very different from the NRL," McDermott explained. "It has to be a specific blueprint, not a generic one.
We can’t simply copy what other nations are doing; the approach must look different if we intend to go deep into the tournament." He drew a parallel with boxing, recalling Tyson Fury’s 2015 upset over Wladimir Klitschko. "Fury didn’t pretend his right hand was as strong as Klitschko’s. He knew he had to do something different, a game plan that Klitschko wasn’t prepared for, and he executed it perfectly. Take that lesson and apply it to rugby league." McDermott added, "The gap is bridgeable and the competition is winnable – but not if you stand in front of Klitschko, lie to yourself, and claim your right hand is as strong as his.
If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they aren’t listening. We can win, absolutely, but we must change certain things." Having out‑performed candidates such as Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara to secure the England role, McDermott now turns his attention to the first World Cup match, a clash with Tonga on 17 October. His immediate priorities include assembling a coaching team and making initial contact with players, tasks he will begin from Australia where he remains an assistant coach with the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans. At 56, McDermott downplayed concerns about holding the England job on a part‑time basis, noting that his contract runs through the end of the World Cup and that modern technology mitigates geographic challenges.
"The internet lets me watch games and visualise the plan I need," he said. "I already watch plenty of Super League matches without being England coach. Ironically, even if I were based in the UK, I’d probably meet players on Zoom anyway.
I’m interested in staying beyond the World Cup." McDermott also reached out to Super League’s Man of Steel, Jake Connor, who was controversially left out of the Ashes squad by Wane last year. When asked if Connor features in his World Cup plans, McDermott replied unequivocally, "He is, for sure. Absolutely. The narrative around Jake was hugely unfair.
He’s loved by some, disliked by others – that’s part of the sport. We could argue about his personality, but that’s irrelevant.
What’s indisputable is his talent. He’s a phenomenal player, a game‑breaker." Beyond the tactical and personnel considerations, McDermott acknowledged the broader context of the tournament. The World Cup will be broadcast extensively, with Sky Sports promising live coverage of every Super League match this season, including two exclusive live fixtures each round and the remaining five matches shown weekly on the network.
This exposure, he noted, will increase pressure on both players and coaching staff, making preparation and mental resilience as crucial as physical readiness. In summary, McDermond’s vision for England hinges on a tailored, detail‑oriented strategy that respects the unique attributes of British‑based talent while acknowledging the stark differences between Super League and the NRL.
By rejecting a one‑size‑fits‑all approach, embracing innovative game plans, and fostering an inclusive environment for players like Jake Connor, he believes England can close the historical gap with Australia and finally lift the Rugby League World Cup for the first time.