Walsh Shines as Dominant Australia Defeat England Aside in Opening Ashes Match
England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.
The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Brilliant Display from Walsh
Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph 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 possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The first came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.
Nathan Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack 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 move, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defensive line for his second.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.
- England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Lewis.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).
