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

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, 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 United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, 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 pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

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

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).