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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession 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 points. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays of the Game

The initial came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour 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 winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.