Following Wane’s departure after the Ashes series ended with a loss to Australia at Headingley in November 2025, McDermott was tasked with assembling a competitive international squad under exceptionally tight time constraints. England entered this World Cup without playing a single warm-up match beforehand. The clash in Perth was their first competitive outing since that defeat to Australia ten months earlier, and remarkably, England have not tasted victory in an international fixture since defeating Samoa back in November 2024.
In stark contrast, a much more composed and cohesive Tonga side arrived in Perth brimming with confidence. They set the tone for the evening prior to kick-off with a spine-tingling performance of the Sipi Tau battle dance, captivating the crowd and laying down a physical challenge that they fully backed up on the field. The victory was a historic milestone for Tongan rugby league, marking their first-ever win against England in seven attempts.
While the lack of warm-up fixtures and limited preparation time were circumstances entirely beyond McDermott’s control, tactical setups and squad selection fall squarely within his domain. It is in these areas that the former Leeds Rhinos head coach now faces intense scrutiny from pundits and supporters alike.
Addressing his side’s erratic play in possession, McDermott conceded that his players had failed to grasp the strict requirements of international tournament football.
"You cannot play with freedom at international level, you have to keep hold of the ball," McDermott remarked during his post-match press conference. Throughout the evening, his side looked visibly anxious with the ball in hand, appearing far too eager to pass up straightforward opportunities to run directly at the formidable Tongan defensive line, opting instead to pass the responsibility along the chain.
Selection decisions have also drawn significant debate. McDermott opted for a central playmaking partnership of Harry Smith and team captain George Williams. The duo struggled to assert control over the match, with Williams enduring one of his most frustrating and ineffective games in an England jersey.
Defensive and positional choices elsewhere in the backline also came under fire. McDermott chose AJ Brimson at full-back ahead of Jack Welsby. While Brimson produced a moment of individual quality by scoring England’s opening try, his evening was overshadowed when he was caught completely out of position during the defensive breakdown that allowed Olakau’atu to score Tonga’s decisive fourth try.
McDermott acknowledged that he would carefully evaluate his options ahead of naming the matchday squad to face France on Tuesday, hinting heavily that team changes could be on the horizon.
Captain George Williams was brutally honest in his assessment of the performance, offering no excuses for the team’s inability to capitalize on their early dominance.
