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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match 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 definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

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

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly 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 momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions 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: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: 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.