Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters got the Ashes series clean sweep he was hoping for after Australia’s 30-8 victory over England in the third Test at Headingley. But it was another unconvincing display from the Aussies that will do little to silence the criticism from Broncos great Corey Parker, who claimed several Kangaroos players were ‘under the pump’ heading into the third Test.
Parker was among the many voices calling for Walters to make changes to the Australian squad, with the Ashes series already wrapped up and a World Cup to plan for next year. But Walters stuck solid with the same 17 from the second Test – with the exception of captain Isaah Yeo’s return from concussion – and the Kangaroos once again underwhelmed despite the scoreline.
Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters led his side to an Ashes clean sweep but Australia’s display in the third Test was far from convincing. Pic: Getty
Reece Walsh scored a late double in an otherwise inconsistent display from the Kangaroos fullback. Nathan Cleary was also far from his influential best, even if he was flawless with the boot with five from five conversions. Josh Addo-Carr scored his first try of the series, with Hudson Young adding a second in a tight first half.
But the Aussies were made to work hard for victory after another display riddled with errors. Harry Grant capped off an impressive game with a try and Walsh added the gloss with his late double, with player of the series Cameron Munster putting on another classy showing to strengthen his claims for the Golden Boot award.
The Kangaroos only led 12-8 at halftime, with their late flurry adding a degree of respectability to the scoreline. But the truth is England were clearly second-best throughout the series, with many home fans calling for the sacking of coach Shaun Wane and slamming the standard of footy across the three Tests.
England looked slightly more dangerous in Leeds than the side that had struggled to score against Australia in the first two Tests. But once again, the home side’s failure to take their chances cost them and Australia’s defence proved more than up to the task.
“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the game,” Munster said after claiming the inaugural Fulton-Reilly award for player of the series. “We got lucky at times, and our moments. They had some line breaks, and we scrambled really well.”
Walsh added: “It wasn’t our best footy but we got the job done in the end. It’s been amazing, a really cool experience. The game is going well over here, and we want to boost it and make it better. From the kid that grew up to where I am now, it’s a dream.”
Kangaroos fullback Reece Walsh darts over for Australia’s final try in the third Test Ashes victory over England. Pic: Getty
Aussie display raises fresh questions around Kevin Walters
Australia’s performance raised further questions around Walters’ decision to stick with the same side, rather than giving his other squad players a go. Many thought the likes of Dylan Edwards, Mitchell Moses, Blayke Brailey, Bradman Best, Ethan Strange and Jacob Preston should have come into the side.
And Parker suggested a number of Kangaroos players didn’t deserve to keep their spots, with Cleary and Gehamat Shibasaki among those who failed to fire this series. “I think the Australian side is under the pump,” Parker told SEN radio before the third Test.
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“I think they’ll win, but I want to see them win well. We don’t want to be talking on Monday morning, going, ‘It was an underwhelming performance’. “I’m not on my own saying that the quality of football played from our best players in our national colours hasn’t been where it needs to be.”
On the evidence of their third Test performance, it’s hard to imagine the Kangaroos players have done much to change Parker’s opinion. And while Walters will take great delight in achieving the Ashes clean sweep as coach, he hasn’t exactly put forward an irresistible case to be the man to lead the Kangaroos in next year’s World Cup.