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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test 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.

They will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as 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 moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).