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England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the brink of half-time to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).