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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

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

Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).