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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see 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: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.