Walsh Shines as Dominant Australia Sweep The Hosts Aside in First Ashes Test
England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.
Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Brilliant Performance from Walsh
Led by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.
They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances 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 Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.
Key Moments of the Game
The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.
Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil 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 backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh finished another scintillating move, exploiting a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.
- England: Full team lineup.
- Substitutes: Bench players.
- Try: Clark.
- Conversion: Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Bench: Reserves.
- Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Goals: Cleary 5.
