The Kangaroos hopped away to a 26-6 win over England in front of a record rugby league Ashes crowd in London on Saturday.
The International Rugby League (IRL) describes the 60,812 crowd as a record for an Ashes Test, the first in 22 years. The game was held at Wembley Stadium.
It was also the best attended Ashes Test match on English soil since the first Test at Wembley in 1994.
The first half was described as intense but scrappy in the first Ashes series since 2003 as both sides met for the first time since 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
In the ninth minute, the Australians lost captain Isaah Yeo after he failed a head check and was not allowed to return to the field.
KANGAROOS FULLBACK STARS
Kangaroos fullback Reece Walsh drew first blood in the 22nd minute when he dove over to score on his international debut. Nathan Cleary converted. 6-0.
The visitors’ lead was extended on half time after Englishman and Test debutant Jez Litten was found to have illegally held Walsh back and Cleary again converted. 8-0.
In the 45th minute, Angus Crichton scored off a 30-metre run for Cleary to convert. 14-0.
Crichton scored again in the 65th minute off an offload from Cameron Munster for a converted try. 20-0.
In the 71st minute, Walsh had a second try after he made a break then passed to Gehamat Shibasaki and followed up to collect the return pass for a converted try. 26-0.
The English restored some pride when Daryl Clark spotted a gap in the defence and ran over for a converted try. 26-6.
The second Test heads to Liverpool this Saturday (November 1) at Everton’s sold-out Hill Dickinson Stadium.
OTHER INTERNATIONAL RL NEWS
France have qualified for the 2026 RLWC with a 36-0 win over Jamaica in Albi, France, on Saturday.
The Cook Islands stunned Tonga in the Pacific Bowl final with a 42-24 comeback win in Port Moresby.
In Brisbane on Sunday, a lightning storm held up play in the Tonga-Samoa Pacific Championship clash before Samoa won 34-6. The result confirms their place in the final on November 9.
The Jillaroos women’s side thumped Samoa 60-0 and will meet the Kiwi Ferns in Auckland this Sunday.
EARLIER ASHES RL NEWS: English disquiet over Kangaroos move