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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: 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).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).