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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test 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 certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes 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 opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon 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 winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.