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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test 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 the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through 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 attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).