McDermott says lengthy World Cup journey disrupted England preparation

England head coach Brian McDermott says a journey lasting almost 48 hours left his UK-based players exhausted before their Rugby League World Cup opener. Speaking on Thursday after the 30-12 defeat by Tonga, he said the effects of travelling had forced him to shorten a training session, BBC Sport reported.

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The itinerary took the players by bus from northern England to London, then by air to Singapore. Rather than continuing directly to Perth, they flew to Sydney before returning across Australia to their tournament base. McDermott said the players were still feeling the effects for roughly three days after the journey.

BBC Sport reported that England completed only two full training sessions before facing Tonga. It said it understood International Rugby League, the governing body and tournament organiser, had arranged the itinerary, and had approached the organisation for comment. McDermott's account concerns the squad's preparation; the travel arrangements were not presented as the sole explanation for the result.

The defeat has also exposed England to an unforgiving qualification route. The Guardian reported that McDermott considered their semi-final prospects slim because losing the opening match had left them dependent on other results. The tournament has 10 teams rather than the 16 involved four years earlier, following France's withdrawal as host and Australia's intervention.

Only two semi-final places are available through the combined six-team standings for Groups B and C. England still have matches against France and Papua New Guinea, but winning both would not guarantee progress. The Guardian reported that England need Tonga to beat Samoa and must also overcome the points-difference disadvantage in their contest with the Samoans for qualification.

McDermott contrasted that position with New Zealand's route through the four-team Group A, where two sides advance. Despite an opening defeat by Australia, New Zealand can still qualify by beating Fiji and the Cook Islands. He acknowledged the difficulties involved in organising a reduced tournament while expressing frustration at England's limited room for recovery. He nevertheless remained positive about the foundations established with his squad, saying more preparation time and matches would help its development.