Australia crush England in first Ashes match for 22 years

Match 1 of 3 of the Rugby League Ashes

England (0) 6

Try: Lewis

Australia (8) 26

Same story emerges twenty-two years later. In terms of their dominance of the rugby league Ashes, Australia returned where they left off.

The Kangaroos opened the scoring against England with their first flowing move of the series after a tense opening 20 minutes of the first series since 2003.

Reece Walsh, a rioting full-back, ran the ball over in style, starting with debutant Mark Nawaqanitawase.

The try was scored following a review by video referee Jack Smith, but it appeared that scrum-half Mikey Lewis had tripped in the build-up.

Before the break, Smith partially redeemed himself by forbidding a second Australia try after Josh Addo-Carr had jumped to catch a high kick before Smith.

The green and gold defense was soon well on their heels when Shaun Wane’s side conceded and George Williams and Tom Johnstone scored the winning kicks.

However, in the final minute of the first half, Cleary added a penalty to give Australia an 8-0 lead, and they kept it going until the break.

With full-back Jack Welsby allowing him to pass far too easily, Angus Crichton strode through after undermining the hosts’ constant pressure from the start.

Australia eased their way to victory in their first encounter since the 2017 World Cup final by keeping England at bay after that.

With 15 minutes left, second row Crichton scythed through the defense once more, adding more gloss when Walsh’s impressive Walsh completed a superb field-length move down the left.

In the final minutes for England, Daryl Clark slammed over, but the result was nothing more than a consolation.

Issah Yeo, the visitors’ captain, was forced to leave in the first half after Young and Young had clashed, and he had a head injury assessment. Next week’s second test at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool will also be without him.

Interchanges: McMeeken, Walmsley, Trout, and Litten

Walsh, Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr, Munster, Cleary, Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo, and others.

Changes: Cotter, Cotter, and Koloamatangi