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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had talked at length 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 reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors 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 the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

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

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