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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach'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 Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, 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 executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score 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 finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

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