Reece Walsh Shines as Ruthless The Kangaroos Defeat The Hosts Away in First Ashes Test
The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.
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 calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.
Outstanding Display from Walsh
Led by an exceptional showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since the 1970s.
They will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.
Crucial Plays of the Match
The first occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty 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 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.
Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer 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.
- Interchange: Bench players.
- Try: Daryl Clark.
- Conversion: Mikey Lewis.
- Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
- Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).