Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Aside in Opening Ashes Test
England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.
Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Brilliant Display from Walsh
Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.
England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. 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 no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.
Key Moments of the Game
The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England 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 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defensive line for his second try.
Match Result and Looking Ahead
By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.
- England: Full team lineup.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Clark.
- Conversion: Mikey Lewis.
- Australia: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).
