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2025 Rugby League Ashes, First Test
England v Australia
Saturday 25 October 2025
Wembley Stadium, London<\/p>\n
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The Kangaroos were comfortable winners over England in the First Test at London\u2019s famous Wembley Stadium last Sunday morning (Australian time).<\/p>\n
Much of the most match comment focused on the English team\u2019s performance, and the apparent gulf between the two teams, particularly in defence.<\/p>\n
The consensus pointed to Australia still having much more room for improvement, whilst England were criticised for a lack of intensity in both attack and defence.<\/p>\n
Shane Wane, the England coach, lamented his side\u2019s poor showing as the media questioned several of his selections, particularly the absence of the Gold Coast Titans player AJ Brimson, who was in his tracksuit as eighteenth man for this fixture.<\/p>\n
A team where NRL journeyman John Bateman is a starting second rower for England perhaps sums up the depth of the game in Australia in comparison to the UK Super League.<\/p>\n
Jack Welsby, the England fullback, did have an unhappy game, although he was certainly not alone in that group.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, for the Kangaroos, it was difficult to notice a below par player. For Kevin Walters, in his first game as the national coach, it was a dream start.<\/p>\n
No wonder \u2018Kevvie\u2019, a former five-eighth, was grinning from ear to ear: a team where the \u2018spine\u2019 consisted of his Broncos superstar Reece Walsh, Origin hero Cameron Munster, the multiple premiership winner Nathan Cleary, as well as Harry Grant at hooker, surely would be a wonderful team to coach!<\/p>\n
In my last piece, I wrote about the mighty Invincibles, the undefeated 1982 Kangaroo tourists. After six lead up games on that epic tour, including a match against Wales, the invincibles won the First Test at Hull, 40-4.<\/p>\n
The class of 1986 won the First Test of that undefeated tour 38-16 at Old Trafford, having played five lead up games.<\/p>\n
Back to Wembley, Australia cruised to this win, two tries to the electric Reece Walsh, who also had a great game in defence, as well as two tries to back rower Angus Critchon.\u00a0 Nathan Cleary five from five with the boot \u2026 a very neat looking scoreboard!<\/p>\n
Whilst it is great to admire this 2025 Kangaroos team playing so well, it would be great to see a more competitive England side in the remaining two Test matches.<\/p>\n
England scored what could only be described as a consolation try in the 75th minute. Andrew Moore made his much-anticipated return to commentary this weekend for the ABC for the Pacific Championships. If Andrew was commentating this match, he would have called \u2018game, set, bingo\u2019 long before this passage of play\u2026possibly even at half-time.<\/p>\n
From the South Sydney viewpoint, Keon Koloamatangi, having previously represented Tonga, made his Kangaroos debut off the bench.<\/p>\n
It is on to Everton for the Second Test this weekend, with Harry Grant as Kangaroos captain. Isaah Yeo is unavailable due to concussion protocols.<\/p>\n
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Australia 26 defeated England 6<\/p>\n
Australia: tries Walsh 21\u2019, Critchon 44\u2019 and 64\u2019, Walsh 70\u2019 goals: Cleary 5\/5<\/p>\n
England: tries: Clark 75\u2019, goals Lewis 1\/1<\/p>\n
Penalties: Australia 4-3<\/p>\n
Half-time: Australia 8-0<\/p>\n
Referee: L Moore (Wigan)<\/p>\n
Attendance 60, 812<\/p>\n
England: Welsby, Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone, Williams, Lewis, Havard, Clark, Lee, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles. Bench: Little, Walmsley, Trout, McMeekan. Coach: Shane Wane<\/p>\n
Australia: Walsh, Nawaqanitawase, Shibasaki, Staggs, Atto-Carr, Munster, Cleary, Carrigan, Grant, Fa\u2019asuamaleaui, Critchton, Young, Yeo (capt.) bench: Dearden, Cotter, Collins, Koloamatangi<\/p>\n
Coach: Kevin Walters<\/p>\n
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Highlights<\/p>\n
2025 Ashes | England v Kangaroos | Match Highlights | 1st Test<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Rabbit in the Vineyard player of the series points:<\/p>\n 3 Walsh (Australia)<\/p>\n 2 Crichton (Australia)<\/p>\n 1 Grant (Australia)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?<\/p>\n And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.<\/p>\n Become an Almanac (annual) member \u2013 CLICK HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761772271_892_almanac-1.jpg\")
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