Brian McDermott has made clear throughout his tenure that England must possess a "point of difference" to succeed at the Rugby League World Cup, yet his decision to exclude Jake Connor from the squad has drawn considerable scrutiny.
Connor was controversially omitted from England's 3-0 Ashes series defeat in autumn under then-coach Shaun Wane. Despite enjoying another strong campaign with Leeds Rhinos that earned him Dream Team recognition, McDermott has instead selected George Williams, Harry Smith, and Mikey Lewis as his half-back options, with Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala also capable of operating in that position.
According to Sky Sports, Connor missed selection by a "small margin," despite recording 43 assists during the season—the most of any player in Super League.
McDermott's reasoning centres not on personnel but on the tactical approach that failed so badly against Australia. He believes the previous campaign lacked the innovative thinking required to compete at the highest level.
It is not a case of changing players as such, although through the tournament we will pick the team that we think can best get the job done each week, but I believe last year that they didn't play with the points of difference. They just tried the usual things - they tried to put the ball on a certain pat of grass and then tried to shift the ball to beat Australia on the outside.
McDermott stressed that while England may have employed such methods periodically, the World Cup demands something different. Playing with a point of difference carries risk, but that risk is necessary.
You have got to play with the point of difference and the reason not many people will do it is because sometimes it doesn't come off and there's a risk element to that. You have got to have some courage. There is a way of playing which asks more questions of team's defence when you have got the ball rather than just loading up for one shape per set.
Lewis's big-game pedigree and ball-carrying threat
While McDermott acknowledges Connor's exceptional form, he has prioritised players who fit his attacking model and possess experience delivering under pressure. Mikey Lewis, despite some disciplinary issues late in the season, brings qualities McDermott values highly.
I believe Jake's had a really good year. He had an outstanding year last year, got a Man of Steel and again has played with a leading team this year. What I have got is a squad full of players who I believe will best play to the game style, the attack plan or the game model that we identified many weeks ago that I think we need to do to be able to compete with the leading nations.
Lewis guided Llanelli Scarlets to the World Club Challenge title at the start of the year and steered them to a Challenge Cup final, demonstrating his ability to perform when stakes are highest. According to Sky Sports, Lewis scored 17 tries and made 14 assists during the campaign.
We can't do the usual things and I've made this a point from the day that I took the job, we've got to play with the point of difference. So I've got a squad of players here that I believe are best suited to the attack plan and the game model that I think England need to play.
McDermott outlined his selection philosophy, which extends beyond current form to encompass the ability to perform under international pressure, where there are no second chances.
I think form, current form has a bearing, of course it does. I think there's another principle of how we've picked a team as well which is can you play under pressure. The World Cup and internationally you don't get any second chances, you have to deliver there and then, you cannot go back and review the game and have another go the following week.
The coach highlighted Lewis's willingness to carry the ball and his aggressive approach as crucial assets in modern international rugby league.
Well the guy runs and when he is in doubt he runs. He doesn't die wondering Mikey, he brings a lot of energy, he brings a lot of attitude and at times that spills over and that would be a concern for any coach. But the game is played over the gain line and international football, everything is over the gain line.
McDermott pointed to the recent NRL Grand Final as evidence of this tactical shift, noting that tries rarely came from lateral ball movement across the field.
If you look at the Grand Final last night in Australia, there weren't too many tries where people shifted the ball from left side to the right side of the field- everything is nice and tight and everything is over the gain line. So you have got some players that, when everybody else is tired, they'll carry the ball themselves and Mikey Lewis does that tremendously well.
Wakefield's injury crisis explains squad absence
Super League Grand Final winners Wakefield Trinity have no representatives in the main squad, a notable omission given their recent success. Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, and Tom Johnstone all appear in the extended squad but withdrew through injury.
According to Serious About RL, all four players withdrew from selection as recently as the morning of the squad announcement, with operations scheduled for the end of the year.
It is a real shame that the Wakefield boys aren't available. There's nothing we could do or they could do. They are all booked in for operations at the end of the year. Jake Truman in particular has had a fantastic year. Mike McMeeken has been enormous. He's been enormous through finals. Same with Caleb Hamlin-Uele and Tom Johnstone. So every single one of them were in amongst being picked, but I knew they were going to have operations and there's a strong likelihood that some of them might not be available and I just got a message.
England's World Cup campaign begins
McDermott's squad selection reflects his determination to implement a fresh tactical approach from the tournament's outset. The BBC reported that Harry Smith was named alongside captain George Williams at half-back for the opening match against Tonga, with AJ Brimson selected at full-back and Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala set to make his England debut.
England's men open their campaign against Tonga in Perth on 17 October, followed by matches against France on 24 October and Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on 30 October. The matchday squad will be reduced from 21 players to 19 later in the week, with further changes possible up to game day.
