Walsh Takes Center Stage as Dominant Australia Defeat England Away in Opening Ashes Test
England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.
Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of more than 60,000.
Brilliant Display from Walsh
Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.
They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, 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 Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The first came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a excellent play.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.
Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh finished another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defensive line for his second.
Match Result and Looking Ahead
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Bench players.
- Try: Daryl Clark.
- Conversion: Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Cleary 5.
