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As stated by leader the England captain, the national team were handed a stark "reality check" as the Kangaroos secured the coveted Ashes trophy.

Australia's decisive 14-4 win at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday gave them a commanding series edge, making next week's sold-out third Test a dead rubber.

The England team had entered the series holding aspirations of sending the Kangaroos to their first Ashes series defeat since the 1970s.

Over the last 24 months, they had enjoyed a clean sweep over Tonga and a 2-0 triumph over the Samoan team. But as the prestigious competition returned after a long break, the English were unable to advance further against the reigning title holders.

"We take full responsibility. There were enough preparations to execute properly on the field, and it's clear we've managed that," the captain commented.

"Credit to Australia. They were excellent defensively. But we've got plenty to address. We're probably not as strong as we expected we were going into this series.

"This serves as a necessary lesson for us, and we have plenty to develop."

Australia 'Arrive and Prove Clinical'

Having been heavily outplayed in an mistake-ridden performance at Wembley, England's were significantly better on Saturday back in the rugby league heartlands of the North.

In a rousing first half, England elicited errors from the Kangaroos and had all the field position and ball control, but crucially did not convert opportunities on the scoreboard.

Notably, England have now managed just a single touchdown over two full matches, with St Helens hooker Daryl Clark barging over late on in the loss in the capital.

On the other hand, the Kangaroos have racked up half a dozen across the series - and when blunders began to affect the hosts' play just after the interval, it was a case of inevitability, they were going to be made to pay.

Initially Cameron Munster scored, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being level at four-all, the home side were 10 points adrift.

"Satisfied for the majority of the game. In my view for 70 minutes we were good," said Wane.

"The switch off for a brief period after the break cost us immensely. Munster's try was easy and should not be scored in a top-level game.

"The team is deeply disappointed. Extremely pleased the players had a dig but so disappointed with that after half-time, which proved costly significantly."

Although the upcoming global tournament in Oceania is just under next year, England's short-term goal will be on attempting to regain respect, avoiding a clean sweep and addressing the mistakes that annoyed Wane.

"I hoped to see more directed toward Australia. My aim was us to build pressure in the game - we failed to deliver last week," added the 61-year-old.

"We did this week. It's just a bit of detail in our offense where we could have put them under greater stress. It's essential to defend both [tries] more effectively.

"Fair play to the Kangaroos - that is no detriment to them. They arrive and are ruthless when they capitalize, and we failed to be, but defensively we can and should do enhance.

"The Australians will be determined to win the series whitewash and we need to be obsessed to make it a competitive series. I've told that to the players. It has to be our primary goal. It will be a difficult week but whoever strives for it the most will get the win next week."

Competitive Edge Needs to Increase in Super League

England have participated in a comparable number of Test matches to the Kangaroos since the previous global tournament in recent years.

Yet Wane thinks that the strength of the NRL - and quality of the State of Origin matches between NSW and Queensland - provide a more effective grounding for competing at the top of the global stage than what is available in the Europe.

The England coach added that the congested domestic league fixture list allowed no time for him to coach his team during the season, which will only pose additional concerns around how the national team can narrow the difference to Australia before heading to Oceania in 2026.

"They participate in a lot of internationals in their league," he remarked.

"We have ten to fifteen a year. It's crucial really intense games to improve the competition and increase our chances of succeeding in these sorts of games.

"I couldn't even practice with the squad. We never got on the field in the season and despite having the full backing of everyone in Super League.

"I have also been in the position of the head coaches that must to win games. The competition is that packed. It's a pity but it's not the cause we were defeated today."