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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory 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 certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped 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 kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption 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 winners, they were firmly put to bed 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 twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.