Reece Walsh Takes Center Stage as Ruthless Australia Defeat The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Test

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

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack 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 attack, exploiting a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least avoided 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: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

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