McDermott, who replaced Shaun Wane in April, also made a key selection call for a full-back.
AJ Brimson has been selected ahead of Jack Welsby for England’s first game in Group BC – a combined group of six teams, the top two of which will progress to the semi-finals early next month.
“It was really close,” McDermott said of the quarterback pick. “But Welsby is a fantastic international.”
McDermott has expressed his interest in using heritage players – those who have qualified for England with their families – to ensure the strongest possible squad.
Brisbane-born Brimson, who made his England debut against Australia in last year’s Ashes series, is one of four such players in the squad alongside England debutant Max King.
The Bulldogs King, who was born in Huddersfield when his Australian father David was a player there, features alongside debutant Hugo Savala, who was part of the Sydney Roosters’ NRL Grand Final winning side. Victor Radley also XIII.
And they will need all their strength and ingenuity against a dangerous Tonga side who pose plenty of questions during their tour of England in 2024.
“We’ve got to pick them up and fire them with fire,” McDermott said. “But we don’t stay like that for 80 minutes. Even though we deal with their physicality, we have to stay smart.”
All the men’s and women’s teams for the first round matches between Thursday and Sunday have been announced at 06:00 BST on Tuesday.
England Women’s coach Stu Barrow has named his squad for their first game against Wales in Perth (07:35 BST) on Saturday.
Jasmin Strange and Connie Boyd will make their international debuts, while outdoorsman Hope Millard is among the exchanges.
Opponents Wales will debut second-row forward Paige Travis, who played for England at the last World Cup four years ago.
Tayla Preston, who captains the Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL Women’s Premiership, will start in the semi-final, with former rugby union international Ffion Lewis joining her in the standings, while Hannah Bluck will represent Wales in a fourth different sport.
Bluck won senior Welsh honors in rugby union as well as junior recognition in football and basketball.
Women of England: Fran Goldthorpe, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Holly-May Dodd, Jasmine Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.
Exchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Fubister, Hope Millard.
Welsh women: Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.
Exchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.