Walsh Shines as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat England Aside in First Ashes Match
The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward 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 over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh
Led by an exceptional display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.
They will have to be significantly improved 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 tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.
Key Moments of the Game
The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.
Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly 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 stifle their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.
Match Result and Looking Ahead
By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Conversion: Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).
