Brian McDermott calls Rugby League World Cup format ‘harsh’

England head coach Brian McDermott has strongly criticised the Rugby League World Cup format, calling it “harsh”. England’s defeat by Tonga last Saturday leaves them needing Tonga to overcome Samoa in next week’s final group match to keep any genuine prospect of a semi-final place.

That outcome would leave England and Samoa to be separated by points difference. The task looks particularly difficult for McDermott’s side: Samoa opened their campaign with a 78-4 win over France.

“Losing one game and ending up in this position is so harsh; it almost feels as though we don’t get another chance to put things right,” McDermott said. He added that the team remained focused: “There’s still a slim chance we can get through, and that’s what we’re concentrating on. We’re really determined. It’s just harsh that we have to take a standing eight count in the first round.”

The coach contrasted England’s situation with New Zealand’s, after they also lost their opening game. “New Zealand have lost their first game as well, but they’ll get another go at it and are likely to qualify, so their destiny isn’t in other people’s hands,” he said. “That’s not where we are. […] We knew that to get through, we had to beat Tonga.”

The format comes in a competition reduced to 10 men’s teams after France withdrew from hosting in 2023. The partial cross-group system means one of the top five nations will be eliminated in the first stage.

For Saturday’s match against France, McDermott kept the same 19-man group that faced Tonga, making one late change: Matty Ashton will start on the wing in place of Zach Eckersley. McDermott also discussed Mikey Lewis, noting that he had won the World Club Challenge at the start of the year. He said a change at half-back had been considered, while defending George Williams and Harry Smith after the defeat by Tonga. He also pointed out that England had been held up near the line four times and that a defensive effort from Tonga stopped Herbie Farnworth from scoring.