🔗 Share this article

The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

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 home team 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 wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

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

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.