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

The England coach's team had talked at length about their drive 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 showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park 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 opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address 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: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

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