🔗 Share this article

The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

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