England Rugby League Coach Blames World Cup Format, Travel for Poor Performance

England's Rugby League World Cup campaign is facing an early exit, with head coach Brian McDermott citing the tournament's "harsh" 10-team format and a grueling travel schedule as major contributing factors. McDermott expressed frustration that the team "didn't hit the ground running" following their opening loss to Tonga, a defeat that has significantly hampered their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

McDermott also suggested that Super League should consider investment from Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) to elevate the standard of the English game. The coach drew parallels between the team's exhausting pre-tournament travel to a "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" scenario, highlighting the logistical challenges that preceded their crucial matches. Despite these setbacks, England is determined to perform well in their upcoming match against Australia, aiming to put past disappointments behind them.