🔗 Share this article

The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length 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 key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts 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 pulled off two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.