Reece Walsh Shines as Ruthless Australia Defeat England Away in Opening Ashes Test
England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the Ashes.
The England coach's side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.
Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh
Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations 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 advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb turnovers.
Crucial Plays of the Game
The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.
Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to open up a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it 14-0 in favour of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.
Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.
That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted England defense for his second.
Match Result and Outlook
By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.
- England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
- Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
- Tries: Daryl Clark.
- Goal: Mikey Lewis.
- Visitors: Starting lineup.
- Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
- Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
- Kicks: Cleary 5.