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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, 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 more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a eight-point lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus 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 drive.

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 pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

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