England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.
England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.
The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.
If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.
By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.
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