McDermott blames exhausting England travel for World Cup defeat
England head coach Brian McDermott said a nearly 48-hour journey to Perth left his players exhausted before their Rugby League World Cup opener. He compared the itinerary, which included a bus to London and flights via Singapore and Sydney, to the film Planes, Trains and Automobiles. England lost 30-12 to Tonga and face France on Saturday.
McDermott, appointed in April, oversaw his first England match against Tonga, a 30-12 loss. The squad’s route to Perth involved a coach from northern England to London, then air travel through Singapore and Sydney before reaching Western Australia. The International Rugby League organised the itinerary, according to BBC Sport.
England had only two full training sessions before facing Tonga and no warm-up fixture. Their previous match was the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley in November 2025, under former coach Shaun Wane. In the combined Pool B and C table, Samoa’s 78-4 win over France leaves England’s points difference 92 behind.
The result and McDermott’s comments may intensify scrutiny of tournament logistics, potentially affecting players’ welfare and fans’ confidence in the competition’s fairness. Supporters who travelled or watched could feel frustrated if scheduling is seen to disadvantage some teams. For England’s squad, a short turnaround before France could shape morale and performance, while organisers may face calls to review travel arrangements for future international events.