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England men’s rugby league players are facing a week-long wait to return home following their early exit from the World Cup in Australia. While the England women’s team quickly departed after their tournament ended, Brian McDermott’s men have had to endure a prolonged stay overseas, with some players not arriving back until Friday.
Enjoying the Coastline Before Departure
The squad spent time staying near the beaches of Wollongong, where players with families or local connections were able to start their end-of-season holidays early. Wigan teammates Junior Nsemba and Zach Eckersley spent afternoons riding e-scooters and walking along the beach, while winger Matty Ashton and hooker Jez Litten caught up with friends or spent time with their families following the team’s elimination.
Managing Player Wellbeing on Tour
The tournament lasted just 13 days for Brian McDermott’s squad, yet players will have been away for a total of a month by the time they complete their journeys home. To support the squad, Steve McCormack was brought in from Rugby League Cares as wellbeing manager, keeping watch over players emotionally and ensuring individuals like Brad O’Neill caught early flights for the birth of his child. Keith Senior, head of wellbeing programmes at Rugby League Cares, noted that being away from home is often exacerbated when teams fail to perform as expected on the pitch.
Reflecting on Camp Culture and Limited Playing Time
Despite the swift exit, reports indicated that McDermott maintained a positive atmosphere within a group that combined Super League and NRL players. However, limited playing time proved frustrating for squad members such as Morgan Knowles, Jack Welsby, and Ben Currie, who saw minimal action due to injuries or selection choices. Mikey Lewis demonstrated that frustration on the bench before finally getting on the field in the closing stages and scoring a consolation try after the hooter.
