Leeds boss Brian McDermott says he is better for having his head ‘frazzled’
Rhinos chief flew Down Under to take charge of USA at last year's Rugby League World Cup
BRIAN McDermott admits he is a better version of the Super League-winning coach after having his head ‘frazzled’.
The Leeds boss found himself on the other side of the coin when he was boss of the USA at the World Cup, with hardly any support staff.
And even the way he flew out to Australia brought new challenges, with McDermott insisting he learned plenty he can put to use as the Rhinos look to defend their crown in 2018.
He said: “Every time I travel, it’s normally with a Rhinos tracksuit on, so I’ve a group of people saying, ‘This is where you go, turn left now, put your ticket there, go sit in that chair.’
“When you travel on your own you realise it’s not as easy as that, by the time I got to Oz my head was frazzled.
“But the guys I worked with were extremely committed. It was a different version of coaching in a different country and while the cliche is a change is as good as a rest, it really was. I got a fair bit out of it.”
Travelling will be a challenge at the start of Leeds’ season as they head to Melbourne to take on NRL champions Storm in the World Club Challenge next month.
And while he admits slogging to and from Australia could cause issues if not handled right, McDermott is adamant he wants that kind of problem.
He added: “It’s something we’ll have to deal with but I’d rather deal with it than not.
“Getting on a plane to Australia within 12 hours after playing, then having five days preparation for the World Club Challenge then getting straight back to Super League the week after, there’s stuff we’ve got to get right.
“And if we don’t get it right, it could hurt us but I want to be in that environment – we want those challenges.”
