Reece Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Defeat The Hosts Away in Opening Ashes Test
England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.
Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.
Outstanding Performance from Walsh
Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.
They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb turnovers.
Key Moments of the Match
The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.
Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the try for Crichton soon 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 stifle 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 half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.
Final Score and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's late try, which at least avoided England being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.
- Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Try: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Mikey Lewis.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Reserves.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Goals: Cleary 5.