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England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, 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 historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence 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 Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

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 denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly 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 winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack 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 breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.