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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. 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. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past 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 attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane 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: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.