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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant point, 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 stifle their drive.

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 supported by Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions 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: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

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