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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for 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 stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).