Join the Miguel Delaney Inside Football Get exclusive insights and behind-the scenes access to the Miguel Delaney: inside newsletter Football NewsletterJoin the Miguel Delaney inside Football Many things have changed since the last Ashes Series 22 years ago, but others remain the same. More than two decades England had waited for this chance to test themselves against the world’s best and while there are two more clashes to come in which Shaun Wane’s men will hope to hit back, there can be no disputing that Australia remain exactly that. This was an imperfect performance in many ways from the world champion Kangaroos and yet still a chasm gaped between the two teams – if England are to win a first Ashes since 1973, then they must find a level beyond that which they were capable of here.The long wait for an Ashes return has much to do with Australian ambivalence towards the international game and while this game crackled and fizzed with an intensity befitting a fine occasion, this was not perhaps a colossal contest of the kind more regularly sighted during the State of Origin series nor upper echelons of the NRL. The 60,812 crowd was thrilled by the comeback, but England failed to impress and did not score until four minutes before the end. This disillusioned those who had hoped for a successful home series. Reece Walsh’s virtuouso performance was a major factor in the Australians’ victory. It seemed inevitable that they would win. Wembley is a grand old stadium that has seen many great full-backs over the years, but few have been as vibrant and brash as Walsh. open image in galleryAustralia started the Ashes with a big win (Getty Images)Player of the match in the NRL Grand Final three weeks ago, Walsh’s exuberance and energy that make him such a star on the field have sometimes got him in trouble off it – it is not long since the Brisbane Broncos were forced to apologise for an ill-judged social media video showing him lapping out of a newly-installed latrine. It is impossible to deny his star power. England’s hope for a series win hinged on their ability to surprise Australia in the first game. Perhaps recognising the need for that fast start, England brought plenty of early physicality, using the imposing Dom Young early and often, the gigantic wing roaming infield to inflict damage on familiar foes from the NRL.Centre Herbie Farnworth, another of England’s Australian-based stars, flashed, too, but a well-drilled Australian defence was not to be easily broken down despite the hosts matching them punch for punch in contact. In the first quarter, neither team was able to create enough metreage for much danger or earn repeat sets with the boot when they made rare forays near the opposition try-line. After losing skipper Isaah Yao to a head injury, Australia’s forwards sucked in the English defense with more venom. Numbers away to the right were exploited eagerly by a sweeping band of backs – if an inwards, perhaps forwards toss from an offloading Mark Nawaqanitawase to an onrushing Kotoni Staggs looked slightly suspect, there was nothing suspicious about the gleeful leap of Walsh that finished it off. open image in galleryReece Walsh leapt to the line to score Australia’s opener (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)It characterised the full-back’s performance. He and Farnworth were involved in a couple of off-ball ding dongs before Walsh intervened to deny what seemed a certain score after Jake Wardle had broken free, shooting out to block the centre’s pass.It was the sort of all-around display of full-back mastery that Sam Tomkins, regularly patrolling the England backfield in his role as team manager, would have been proud during his playing days. The home side had their chances – Tom Johnstone’s in-field kick disappearing down a burrow just before terriers Mikey Lewis and Welsby could reel it in – but were unable to register; by contrast, when a tug back on the irrepressible Walsh brought a kickable penalty, Nathan Cleary’s crisp strike extended the Australian advantage.The full-back sparked the tourists into life immediately after the interval, very nearly going the length of the field on one audacious adventure, and it wasn’t long before a second Australian score arrived – with England on their heels expecting a kick after the fifth tackle, Angus Crichton strolled down Wembley Way untouched for an all-too-easy finish. Australia dominated the second half. (Getty Images). To sum England’s day up, a well put-together ended with Lewis across the line but only thanks to a knock-on; a matter of moments later, Australia were up the other end scoring legitimately, with Walsh, fittingly, applying the finishing touches. Daryl Clark’s late try ensured England broke their duck but it was little consolation at all.
2025-10-25 16:25:50
Reece Walsh lights up Wembley as Australia script familiar Ashes story
