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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the ball 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 no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the score for 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 stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported 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 closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

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

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.