🔗 Share this article

England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.