🔗 Share this article

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

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined 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 added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.