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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, 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 UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point lead. 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 Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past 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 visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer 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.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.