England could have beaten Australia 3-0 in the Ashes had they played to their potential, former English halfback turned commentator Kevin Brown claims – earning him an “imbecile” whack from ex-State of Origin star Josh Reynolds.
The Kangaroos comfortably swept the series, winning the third Test 30-8 in Leeds on Sunday, and finished the tour with a combined winning margin of 52 points. Australia now haven’t lost to England in 16 games, a record spanning three decades, with many worried over the large gulf between to the sides.
Yet Brown — who played 10 Tests between 2010 and 2017, and more than 400 club games — claims that if England had played to their best in this series it would have been a whitewash for the home side.
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“They’re a fantastic side but if we’d have played to our absolute best in all three games, I think we’d win 3-0, I honestly do,” Brown said.
“There is a gap, but it’s not as big as what we’re saying and what people are saying. I think we’ve built this gap way bigger.”
Former NSW playmaker Reynolds, who played in the Super League with Hull FC, did not mince his words in response.
“He’s an imbecile, that guy,” Reynolds said on Sky Sports Radio.
“He would say some of the most idiotic stuff … I’d always say, if I see him at a game, I’m going to front him and ask, ‘Are you serious?’ He says ridiculous things.
“They’re delusional. I used to sit over there and cop it, ‘You think your comp (NRL) is that much better’. I just got over arguing the point, but they honestly think that the gap is not that big.”
Big Sports Breakfast co-host Laurie Daley backed up Reynolds, saying England had been given a “reality check” by the Kangaroos.
“England never looked like winning, in any of those three games. Never looked like winning,” Daley said, branding the Poms “extremely disappointing”.
“The scorelines could have been bigger margins.”
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The Kangaroos never really hit their straps yet convincingly won the series. They completed at an average of just 67 per cent across three games, compared to England’s 74 per cent, suggesting it could have been a lot worse for the hosts.
Having just watched the Pacific Championships, Daley said that New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga were all better teams than England.
The Aussies’ attack often looked clunky and disorganised throughout the three Ashes Tests, with the tourists getting accustomed to Reece Walsh at fullback and a halves pairing of Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary.
“Wasn’t our best footy but we got the job done in the end,” Walsh said post-game in Leeds.
“I wouldn’t say that’s the best we can play for sure, bit scrappy.”
The Kangaroos unveiled four debutants during the series as well as a new coach in Kevin Walters, taking the reins on a short-term contract as Australia prepares for next year’s World Cup on home soil.
It remains to be seen if Walters is re-signed for the tournament, having only been guaranteed tenure for the Ashes.
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