🔗 Share this article

England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

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

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

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

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: 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).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).