More from Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley after that try
“That was pretty shoddy defensively from England, sitting off expecting the kick on the last tackle and just allowing Angus Crichton to stride away.
“You do fear that if Australia find their fluency in this half, they could power away given the talent at their disposal.
“There are plenty of Kangaroos fans at Wembley, with a good proportion of them wearing their NRL colours – regardless of their club allegiance, mind, they loved that score from the Sydney Rooster.”
Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley25 October 2025 15:43
TRY! England 0-14 Australia (Angus Crichton, 46 mins)
That could be a hammer blow for England. In truth, it’s far too easy for Australia.
They run a couple of plays and then shift the ball left through Cameron Munster. Angus Crichton drifts forward, powers through the inside shoulder of Walmsley and then just keeps going. Welsby backs off, seemingly covering the pass that never comes and by the time he tries to stop Crichton, he’s at the line and can dive over.
Good conversion by Cleary and the lead is suddenly three scores.
Luke Baker25 October 2025 15:41
‘A frustrating half for England’
Here’s the latest from Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley
“A frustrating half for England, in many ways, unable to take the two big chances they created with Reece Walsh’s intelligent intervention as the last defender denying what seemed a certain score and then Tom Johnstone’s in-field kick just evading Mikey Lewis after the visitors had been broken open again.
“But they’ve coughed up possession a little too regularly, you’d say, allowing even a slightly clunky Australia enough chances to threaten – and Walsh has been quite outstanding, effervescent in attack and defence and niggling off the ball, too.
“I’m not quite sure how he wasn’t penalised for hauling Herbie Farnworth to the floor off the ball – but Australia have perhaps showed their experience in engaging in some smart gamesmanship at times.”
Harry Latham-Coyle at Wembley25 October 2025 15:39
KICK-OFF! England 0-8 Australia
Back underway at Wembley. A frantic start to the second half as it’s back and forth and Walsh makes a great break for Australia.
But the English scramble defence stops him.
Luke Baker25 October 2025 15:37
WATCH: Reece Walsh scores only try of first half
Here’s that Reece Walsh try for Australia. Swan dive and all
Luke Baker25 October 2025 15:22
HALF-TIME! England 0-8 Australia
England have had their chances in what was quite a scratchy first half from both sides. But they’ve spurned them.
And a Reece Walsh try, finished with his trademark swan dive, and a Nathan Cleary penalty, have the Kangaroos 8-0 ahead.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker25 October 2025 15:21
PENALTY! England 0-8 Australia (Nathan Cleary, 40 mins)
Frustrating for England just before the break. Patrick Carrigan with the half-break for Australia and offloads inside to Reece Walsh. Walsh clearly being held back and tackled before he gets to the ball though. Penalty to the Kangaroos.
They’ll have a kick at goal through Nathan Cleary to try and add two more points… Bang in front, mid-distance. It’s there! The lead is two scores now.
Luke Baker25 October 2025 15:18
CLOSE! England 0-6 Australia, 39 mins
SO CLOSE! Nearly a try for England. Great work down their left, quick hands from Williams and Wardle. Ethan Havard with space on the flank and arrows a kick in behind the defence.
Jack Welsby leads the chase but the ball JUST bounces dead before he can get there to touch down for the try.
Luke Baker25 October 2025 15:15
England 0-6 Australia, 38 mins
Cameron Munster chips over the top in the England half and Josh Addo-Carr collides with Dom Young in the air. The ball goes loose and Australia collect and go in for the score. But it’s quickly ruled out – Addo-Carr got there early, so it’s a n England penalty.
They kick up towards halfway to begin the next set.
Luke Baker25 October 2025 15:14
England 0-6 Australia, 37 mins
England playing in the right areas now. A set of six in the Australian half and they’re clean this time. On the fourth tackle, Williams pokes a kick through that goes in-goal with men in pursuit but good defence by Cleary who races back and kicks it dead.
Goal-line dropout for the Aussies and they go short. Johnstone and Nawaqanitawase leap for the ball. Gone forward off Johnstone so an Australian scrum.
(Getty Images)
Luke Baker25 October 2025 15:12