Walsh Takes Center Stage as Dominant Australia Sweep England Aside in Opening Ashes Match

England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line 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 breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

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

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