McDermott blames format and travel for England's World Cup struggles

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 14:03 · Archive

England head coach Brian McDermott has blamed the Rugby League World Cup's reduced 10-team format and a gruelling travel schedule for his side's poor start to the tournament. England's 30-12 defeat by Tonga last Saturday has left them teetering on the brink of elimination.

McDermott called the tournament format 'harsh', arguing that losing one game in a three-team group leaves little room for recovery. He said 'you've got to hit the ground running, which we didn't do'. England are in Group B alongside Tonga and Samoa, with only the top two from a combined six-team table of Groups B and C progressing to the semi-finals.

To reach the semi-finals, England will need Tonga to beat Samoa next week, and then England must win their remaining matches against France on Saturday and Papua New Guinea next week by a larger margin than the Samoans achieve. McDermott conceded that the odds are stacked against his side. He said 'there's still a slim chance that we get through', but described having to 'take a standing eight count in that first round'.

McDermott also criticised the travel arrangements, saying UK-based players took almost 48 hours to reach their Perth base via Singapore instead of a direct route. He likened the journey to the 1987 film Planes, Trains and Automobiles, saying 'we were going around the world 15 times to arrive in Perth'. McDermott had to cut Monday's training session short because players were still exhausted from travel.

The BBC understands that the International Rugby League planned England's travel itinerary. The World Cup was reduced to ten teams from sixteen four years ago, largely due to financial reasons after Australia stepped in as hosts following France's withdrawal. This has created an uneven tournament structure, with favourites Australia and New Zealand in a conventional four-team Group A alongside Fiji and the Cook Islands, effectively guaranteeing them a place in the last four.

How it is being reported

• England's travel schedule like Steve Martin comedy - McDermottEngland were left exhausted before the start of their Rugby League World Cup campaign because of a travel schedule straight out of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, head coach Brian McDermott says.BBC News · 22 Oct, 13:48
• McDermott blames ’harsh’ Rugby League World Cup format as exit looms‘You’ve got to hit the ground running, which we didn’t do’ Coach bemoans 10-team structure and Tonga defeat Brian McDermott has conceded England’s hopes of reaching the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals may already be over, the head coach blaming the tournament’s “harsh” format and their opening loss to Tonga . The World Cup has been reduced to 10 nations, down from 16 four years ago. That is largely due to financial reasons after the hosts Australia stepped in following France’s withdrawal. That has led to a unique format, with different levels of jeopardy for different nations based on…The Guardian · 22 Oct, 13:41
• McDermott blasts 'harsh' RL World Cup format | 'Lewis has shown humility'England head coach Brian McDermott has branded the format of the Rugby League World Cup as "harsh" with his side up against it to progress.Sky Sports · 22 Oct, 11:50

In this story: Brian McDermott · England · Tonga · Samoa · France · Perth · International Rugby League

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