Australia showcased their dominance over England with a commanding 26-6 victory at Wembley in the opening test of the first Ashes rugby league series in 22 years. Star fullback Reece Walsh and winger Angus Crichton each scored two tries, reflecting Australia’s offensive strength throughout the match.
This victory continues Australia’s impressive streak, having secured 13 consecutive series wins since England last triumphed in 1970. The Australian squad exhibited a more dynamic attack compared to a struggling England team, which, despite starting with strong defensive intentions, faltered as the game progressed. Overall, the match witnessed England’s failure to capitalize on their limited scoring opportunities.
The record crowd of 60,812 spectators at Wembley experienced disappointment, as the hosts failed to mount any substantial offensive challenge until a late consolation try from Daryl Clark. Walsh, named man-of-the-match, expressed his surreal feelings about playing at Wembley and emphasized his satisfaction with defensive plays, stating, “I’m probably happier with the two tries I stopped than the two I scored.”
England coach Shaun Wane acknowledged the challenges faced during the game, admitting, “The best team won… we made line breaks and didn’t score.” He pointed out the need for improvement in their execution and finishing strategies, noting the positive aspect that corrections could be made moving forward.
The match began with an undemanding first quarter until Australia exploited space on the right, leading to Walsh’s opening score. Following the initial try, Walsh displayed significant defensive skills as he thwarted a potential English attack. Although Australia initially faced some setbacks, including the early exit of captain Isaah Yeo due to a head injury, they regrouped quickly. Crichton’s no-try due to an illegal aerial challenge and England’s missed scoring opportunities highlighted the match’s turning points.
As the contest unfolded, Australia continued to increase their lead with tries from Crichton and Walsh, along with successful kicks from playmaker Nathan Cleary, putting the score at 14-0 before heading into halftime with an 8-0 advantage. The second half saw Australia maintaining their pressure, and despite Clark’s late try for England, they secured their convincing win.
Looking ahead, the second test will take place at Everton FC’s new ground next Saturday, followed by the third test at Headingley in Leeds the following week. England will be aiming to dramatically improve their performance as they seek their first home series victory since 1959. Australia, buoyed by this opening win, appears poised to continue their strong showing in the series.