Walsh Shines as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Away in First Ashes Test

England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts 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 Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts 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 half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).