Walsh Shines as Dominant Australia Defeat England Aside in Opening Ashes Test
England's attacking frailties were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.
Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh
Guided by an outstanding display in offense and defense from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since 1970.
They 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 large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent move.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's half-break was supported by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second.
Final Score and Looking Ahead
By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented the home side being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.
- England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Bench players.
- Tries: Clark.
- Conversion: Mikey Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
- Kicks: Cleary 5.
