![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761200708_112_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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But prior to turning on his strip show, Walsh had already looked after the purists.<\/p>\n
It was a Test debut for the ages in which Walsh finished with two of Australia\u2019s four tries and, just as importantly, saved two more.<\/p>\n
He was head and shoulder above the rest in man of the match voting.<\/p>\n
Factor in what Walsh did over the final month of the NRL season \u2014 capped off by his miraculous grand final performance.<\/p>\n
It just confirms his current status as the No. 1 player in the game.<\/p>\n
Man of the match Australia’s Reece Walsh during a lap of honour.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
He has not only gone past Nathan Cleary, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant in the argument, he has left them in his wake with his recent form.<\/p>\n
Of course, Cleary, Munster and Grant have been doing it for years.<\/p>\n
As have Jahrome Hughes and James Tedesco, who are the two others currently in the conversation for the NRL\u2019s best.<\/p>\n
But the way Walsh has been tracking in recent months, you can only imagine how much improvement he still has in him.<\/p>\n
While this performance wasn\u2019t quite at the level of his grand final heroics, it wasn\u2019t far off.<\/p>\n
I rated Walsh a 10 out of 10 in the grand final.<\/p>\n
This time I settled for 9<\/a> because the overall performance of both teams in the grand final was well above the standard witnessed at Wembley.<\/p>\n Golden Walsh scores 1st in Aussie debut | 00:39<\/p>\n \u2018FAIR DINKUM EMBARRASSING\u2019<\/p>\n Now to the refereeing.<\/p>\n And what a shame hometown whistle blower Liam Moore allowed England to get away with blatantly slowing down the ruck for the entire game.<\/p>\n What Moore let go was fair dinkum embarrassing at times.<\/p>\n For all those who complain about the lack of consistency when it comes to the set-restart rule in the NRL (of which I\u2019m one), this was a reminder of how bad it used to be when teams were allowed to get away with murder.<\/p>\n At least Australia\u2019s Grant Atkins will be in charge for the second Test.<\/p>\n God help the Poms then.<\/p>\n I reckon the 20-point difference here is likely to at least double if the Kangaroos are allowed to play the style of footy they are accustomed to back home.<\/p>\n Crichton scores double at Wembley | 00:42<\/p>\n \u2018CONSTANT THREAT\u2019<\/p>\n Best of the rest for the Aussies was Harry Grant, Angus Crichton and Cameron Munster, in that order for mine.<\/p>\n Grant was at his creative best and a constant threat around the ruck.<\/p>\n Crichton scored a double and was a handful playing outside Munster, with the Storm five-eighth having a quiet first half but improving as the match wore on.<\/p>\n As did Nathan Cleary who also nailed five from five conversions, and defended strong as always.<\/p>\n Up front Pat Carrigan and Tino Fa\u2019asuamaleaui got the Kangaroos on the front foot early, while Reuben Cotter did a great job when he came on early to replace the concussed Isaah Yeo.<\/p>\n ASHES NEWS<\/p>\n GAME I WRAP: Walsh MOM freak show on Test debut as Kangaroos crush England<\/a><\/p>\n PLAYER RATINGS: Insane Walsh truth becomes reality in Ashes masterclass<\/a><\/p>\n