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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test 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 effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. 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 Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

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