🔗 Share this article

The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

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

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled 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 further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer 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.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).