The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. Yet, 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.
Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.
England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.
The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.
Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.
If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defense for his second try.
By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.
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