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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances 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 Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

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 soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to score three times 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 Crichton, who broke through 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 breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).