Australia asserted their supremacy over England with a decisive 26-6 win at Wembley in the inaugural test of the Ashes rugby league series, marking the first such contest in 22 years. Star fullback Reece Walsh and winger Angus Crichton each contributed two tries, showcasing Australia’s offensive prowess throughout the match.
This triumph extends Australia’s remarkable streak of success, achieving 13 consecutive series wins since England last claimed victory in 1970. The Australian team displayed a more vibrant and effective attack compared to England, who, despite starting strongly defensively, struggled as the match progressed. England ultimately failed to seize the limited scoring opportunities available to them.
A record crowd of 60,812 spectators at Wembley were left disappointed as the home team could not establish a significant offensive challenge until a late consolation try from Daryl Clark. Walsh, who was named man of the match, shared his surreal experience of playing at Wembley and emphasized his pride in his defensive plays, stating, “I’m probably happier with the two tries I stopped than the two I scored.”
England’s coach, Shaun Wane, recognized the challenges his team faced during the game, openly acknowledging, “The best team won… we made line breaks and didn’t score.” He highlighted the need for improved execution and finishing strategies while noting a silver lining in the potential for corrections as they move forward in the series.
The match commenced with a relatively slow first quarter until Australia capitalized on space on the right, leading to Walsh’s opening try. After this initial score, Walsh exhibited outstanding defensive skills by thwarting an incipient English attack. Although Australia faced some early setbacks, including captain Isaah Yeo being forced off due to a head injury, they quickly regrouped. A no-try for Crichton due to an illegal aerial challenge, alongside England’s missed scoring chances, were pivotal moments in the game.
As the contest progressed, Australia further increased their lead with tries from Crichton and Walsh, complemented by successful kicks from playmaker Nathan Cleary, bringing the score to 14-0 before halftime, where they held an 8-0 advantage. In the second half, Australia maintained their strong performance, and despite Clark’s late try for England, they solidified their convincing win.
Looking forward, the second test will be held at Everton FC’s new ground next Saturday, followed by the third test at Headingley in Leeds the subsequent week. England will be eager to drastically enhance their performance as they pursue their first home series victory since 1959. Meanwhile, Australia, invigorated by this opening victory, seems well-positioned to continue their exceptional form in the series.