🔗 Share this article

The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, 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 pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.