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The home side's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain 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 multiple occasions in the opening period, 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 pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly 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 halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

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

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