England head coach Brian McDermott has made no secret of the fact that the pressure cooker of finals football will dictate who makes his 23-man squad for the upcoming World Cup.
With the initial elimination round now in the books, the intensity of post-season rugby league has given the national boss plenty to dissect.
McDermott admitted that while he had a loose framework in mind entering the post-season, the environment of play-off clashes provides answers that regular-season fixtures simply cannot replicate.
“There’s a couple of positions, more than a couple of positions, but there’s a couple of positions that I’m just not sure of just yet,” McDermott said.
“I have an idea, but I really want to see both competitions in the finals. NRL’s already got through their first round… Both sides of the world’s referees don’t blow their whistles as much and therefore the ball’s in play for longer, so the fatigue levels are higher so it’s going to be revealing for sure, the finals, about the final team selection.”
“Nobody’s that far in front and nobody’s that far behind. If somebody goes in finals and smashes it out of the park, he gets picked.”
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Play-off performances under McDermott’s spotlight
The weekend’s elimination fixtures provided a stark contrast between players cementing their international credentials and those whose tour hopes may have hit a speedbump.
In Warrington’s 35-12 victory over Hull KR, key Wire stars stepped up to answer McDermott’s call. Danny Walker controlled the ruck with immense composure and dynamic distribution, demonstrating the big-game maturity required for international rugby league at the exact right time.
Alongside him, George Williams, newly confirmed as England’s captain, delivered a masterclass in game management, steering his side through a fiery, high-stakes encounter with complete tactical control and sharp line-engagement.
McDermott praised the Wire man’s leadership, saying: “When we’ve had the groups meetings, and we certainly had the spine meeting, the way that he would speak on there and just have a bit of maturity, he’s certainly got some maturity back on as well.
“He’ll be my captain.”
Conversely, Leigh’s 26-16 play-off defeat to Wakefield Trinity exposed the tight margins facing fringe selection candidates.
Umyla Hanley found himself under heavy pressure in tough conditions, unable to turn the tide as his side crashed out.
With fierce competition in the outside backs—where established options like Herbie Farnworth, Jake Wardle, and Ash Handley are all vying for spots—a quiet play-off exit leaves Hanley facing a nervous wait over his place in the final 23-man group.
