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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor 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 firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.