🔗 Share this article

The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession 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 unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).