Brian McDermott adamant England can break Australia dominance and win Rugby League World Cup for first time

Brian McDermott believes he can devise the code to finally crack England's quest for a maiden Rugby League World Cup title and end Australia's long-standing dominance.

McDermott has been tasked with delivering England's first World Cup triumph after he was confirmed on Thursday as the successor to Shaun Wane, who stepped down in January following a 3-0 Ashes whitewash to Australia.

Co-hosts and defending champions Australia have won nine of the last 10 World Cups and represent a daunting obstacle for an England side who have not beaten them since 1995.

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But an impassioned McDermott insists the gap can be bridged and that three-time runners-up England can take the final step.

"You've got to have a plan that's accurate for British-based players and a team that largely comes from a competition very different to the NRL," McDermott said.

"You must have a plan that's specific, not just a general one. You certainly can't copy what other nations are doing. It can't look the same if we intend to go deep into the tournament.

"When Tyson Fury beat Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, he was unapologetic about not having a right hand as strong as Klitschko's. He wasn't going to stand in front of Wladimir and trade punches.

"He had to do something different. He used a game plan Klitschko wasn't used to and got the job done. Take from that what you will."

McDermott added: "[The gap] is bridgeable, and the competition is winnable - but not if you stand in front of Wladimir Klitschko, lie to yourself, and say your right hand is as strong as his.

"If anyone thinks I'm saying we can't win, they're not listening. We can win. We can absolutely win. But we have to do some things differently."

McDermott downplays part-time concern

Having beaten the likes of Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara to secure the England role, the countdown is now on to England's World Cup opener against Tonga on October 17.

McDermott revealed his first tasks as head coach will be assembling his coaching staff and contacting players for the first time - duties he confirmed he will carry out from Australia, where he remains an assistant coach at NRL side Gold Coast Titans.

The 56-year-old played down concerns about taking the England job on a part-time basis after signing a contract through the end of the World Cup, insisting geographical challenges can be overcome and expressing his desire to stay on long-term.

"It does pose some challenges, but with the internet nowadays I can watch games and see the vision I need," McDermott said.

"I already watch enough Super League games without being England coach. The irony is, even if I were based in the UK, I'd probably meet players on Zoom anyway.

"I would be interested in taking the job beyond the World Cup."

'Game-breaker' Connor back in England contention

McDermott also extended an olive branch to Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor after the Leeds half-back was controversially omitted by Wane for last year's Ashes.

Asked whether Connor is part of his World Cup plans, McDermott said: "He is, for sure. Absolutely.

"I think the rhetoric and narrative around Jake was tremendously unfair. I understand where he comes from - he's liked by some and disliked by others. That comes with the nature of the game.

"We could sit around a table and debate whether he's a nice person or not. I just don't think that's a fair narrative to make public, yet that was the rhetoric around him.

"What nobody can argue is that he's a tremendous player. He's fantastic. He's a game-breaker."

2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out for

• Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6.30pm UK (Sky Sports)
• Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
• Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
• Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.

Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+