🔗 Share this article

The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times 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 backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.