England Coach Vows to Fix Errors After Rugby League World Cup Stumble

England coach Brian McDermott expressed confidence in his ability to address the errors that contributed to his team's 30-12 loss against Tonga in their Rugby League World Cup opener. Despite the defeat, McDermott insists that England's World Cup hopes are not over and that he can implement changes to secure victories in their upcoming matches.

"It was a really good contest, when it wasn't it was down to us and the errors we made," McDermott said following the match. "We stood toe to toe for nearly all the game, but we made errors chasing the scoreboard. I'm not going to say it's an easy fix, but it's something I can change."

This was McDermott's first match in charge of England since his appointment in April, succeeding Shaun Wane. England entered the tournament with minimal preparation, having not played a warm-up match and with this being their first game since November 2025. Their last victory was against Samoa in November 2024.

McDermott acknowledged that his team made handling errors, forced offloads, and conceded sloppy penalties, which allowed Tonga to control the game's momentum. He identified losing possession as a key issue that needs immediate attention. "You cannot play with freedom at international level, you have to keep hold of the ball," McDermott stated, noting that his side appeared nervous with possession.

Questions have also been raised about McDermott's team selection. The halfback pairing of Harry Smith and captain George Williams struggled, with Williams enduring a difficult performance. AJ Brimson was chosen at fullback over Jack Welsby, and while Brimson scored England's first try, he was also out of position for Tonga's decisive fourth try. McDermott indicated he would review selection options ahead of the next match against France.

Captain George Williams admitted the team "lost our way" and needs to find a better balance. "We can't be kicking stones. We have a great group of lads, and one loss does not change how we think," he added.

The path to the semi-finals is now complicated for England. The tournament features six teams in combined Groups B and C, with only the top two progressing. Crucially, head-to-head results are the primary tiebreaker over points difference. England must win their remaining two group games against France and Papua New Guinea to have a realistic chance of advancing. The team's progression may also depend on the outcome of Tonga's final group game against Samoa, leaving England potentially waiting to discover their fate.

Despite the setback, winger Dom Young expressed belief in the team's ability. "We want to rack up some points... We're good enough to do it." McDermott is focused on rectifying the issues, stating, "We know what is in front of us now. We have to win the next two games. I have seen enough to say we are heading in the right direction."