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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors swept to 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 first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the ball 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 Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the try for Angus 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 stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

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