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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’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 Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

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

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted 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 consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).