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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors 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 1970.

They 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 tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt 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 supported by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.