Harry Smith is convinced England possess the winning mentality required to claim the Rugby League World Cup, even though they arrive in Australia as outsiders for the tournament.
The halfback and his teammates have travelled to the southern hemisphere with a singular objective: to lift the trophy. This comes after a sobering campaign against Australia, where England suffered a comprehensive 3-0 Ashes series defeat, with the world's top-ranked side dominating across all three Tests. According to Sky Sports, Australia won 26-6 at Wembley, 14-4 at Hill Dickinson Stadium and 30-8 at Headingley to complete the whitewash.
However, significant changes have taken place within the England setup since that disappointing series. Shaun Wane has stepped aside, with Brian McDermott, the former Leeds Rhinos head coach, taking the reins. McDermott has arrived with a conviction that England can develop a tactical approach capable of challenging and defeating opponents of Australia's calibre.
Rather than questioning the quality of the playing group, McDermott has identified the game plan as the primary area requiring adjustment. He now expects many of those same players, particularly those operating in the spine, to execute a style of rugby that he believes can deliver victories, beginning with their opening fixture against Tonga in Perth on 17 October.
It is a proud moment for myself and my family, a first World Cup so I am really looking forward to it,
Smith told Sky Sports, before adding a lighter note about the Australian climate.
It is my first time travelling abroad with my country so I am looking forward to it but us pale lads, like me and Zach Eckersley, we might be struggling so we will need plenty of sun cream.
Smith has been named in the halves alongside captain George Williams for the Tonga clash, according to BBC Sport, with Mikey Lewis left out of the matchday squad and designated as a non-playing reserve.
The 25-year-old explained how McDermott has worked with the spine to address the issues that emerged during The Ashes campaign.
Speaking to Brian [McDermott] as a spine and also individually, he felt like we missed quite a few opportunities in The Ashes where we were too deep on the add line and not ready to play.
Smith continued:
He wants us to take every play as an opportunity to score so I feel like that is what he is going to push for, especially when you are playing against Australia and New Zealand, those really good defensive teams.
You don't get many chances to score so when that arrives and opens up you have to take it.
The Tonga encounter represents a crucial opening test, with England facing a familiar opponent in what promises to be a physically demanding clash. Smith has previous experience against Tonga and is acutely aware of the physical challenge they will present, particularly for players of his stature.
Following the Tonga fixture, England's group-stage schedule includes matches against France on 24 October in Perth and Papua New Guinea on 30 October in Wollongong, according to Rugby League International Federation, as they bid to progress to the semi-finals.
While Australia remain the tournament favourites, there is genuine belief within the England camp that they possess the quality to go all the way and become world champions. The squad includes several players making their international debuts, with Zach Eckersley and Sam Walters set to earn their first caps, alongside Hugo Savala, while Max King has been named to start for England for the first time.
There is a lot of big lads there, especially for people like me. It is exciting, you want to start the tournament well,
Smith said of the Tonga challenge.
We start against a good team, we are looking forward to that challenge.
I managed to play against them over here and it was really exciting, a really close game.
Hopefully we can do the job again and get the win.
McDermott's winning mentality
The new England coach has made his ambitions crystal clear from the outset. McDermott has consistently emphasised that England are travelling to Australia with one purpose: to win the World Cup. This mindset, Smith believes, is essential for any team harbouring genuine championship aspirations.
Brian [McDermott] has pushed from the start that we are going out there to win the World Cup.
Smith explained.
From our first meeting he has said that we are here to win. That is the mentality you want and you need.
Even though we are not the favourites, you need to go in with that mentality or there is no point showing up.
Despite entering the tournament as underdogs, Smith's conviction that England can challenge for the title reflects the confidence McDermott has instilled in the squad. The halfback's comments suggest that the coaching change has already begun to shift the narrative within the camp, moving away from the disappointment of The Ashes and towards a forward-looking, ambitious vision for the weeks ahead.
