Reece Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Defeat England Away in Opening Ashes Test

The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, 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 Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as 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 Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink 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 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.