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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory 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 opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.