England coach Shaun Wane admitted watching his team’s performance in the Ashes series opener was “torture” while the UK press have delivered their side with some sobering truths.
The Kangaroos bested the hosts 26-6 at Wembley, with Reece Walsh scoring a double and Kevin Walters’ outfit outclassing England, who Wane explained were “poor”.
“We undersold ourselves and that’s torture for me,” Wane said in his post-match press conference.
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“It was poor. I know what they’re capable of but I don’t think we really gave ourselves a chance.
“Australia were the best team, no question about that, and it hurts – a lot. We were desperate to put on a show and we didn’t do that, but the things we did wrong are easy fixes.
“We made line breaks and weren’t clinical but they made line breaks and were clinical. That’s why they’re the best team in the world.”
He also pointed the finger at his own role in England’s performance, explaining he believed his coaching staff created an “anxious and nervous” environment.
“I saw an apprehensive team and that is down to us as coaches. We have created that environment and we will take a look at that. We were anxious and nervous,” he said.
Herbie stops Walsh’s Wembley magic show | 00:31
They were clinical and showed why they are the best team in the world and we have to hold our hands up.
“We were not there today. We did things today I didn’t think we were capable of but we will fix it.”
While Wane was scathing in his review of England’s display, so were UK media — who called for changes to be made ahead of the second Test at Everton.
“The gap in quality between the sides was illustrated by the first actions of the respective fullbacks in the second half,” the BBC’s Emma Smith wrote.
“Reece Walsh, who was player of the match, carried the ball 80 metres following a slip by England’s much-vaunted scrum-half Mikey Lewis. While England resisted the initial thrust, the ground gained provided the platform for Australia to score a killer second try of the match.
“The try resulting from that break was scored by second row Angus Crichton, who evaded England full back Jack Welsby to score.
“In contrast to the forward-thinking Walsh, Welsby was caught out. He backed off Crichton until his heels were on the try line; when he made a limp attempt to tackle his man, it was far too late.”
Golden Walsh scores 1st in Aussie debut | 00:39
A spine shake-up could also be looming, which could see an NRL star injected into the No.1 jersey.
“Changes will surely be made before England play at Everton’s new home next Saturday. AJ Brimson could come in for Welsby at full back, while Harry Smith – the usual central partner for captain George Williams – could also return,” the BBC wrote.
“Williams and Super League Grand Final star Lewis coped well with ball in hand, but their kicking was poor. Given England’s clearest first-half openings came via grubber kicks, it is something which will need urgent improvement.
“And all this is without acknowledging than Man of Steel Jake Connor has been left out of the England squad for this series entirely. A big decision by Wane, and one that will continue to be picked over as the series progresses.”
What also looked to be a unanimous opinion, was the fact the Kangaroos dominated proceedings.
And as a result, the Ashes look like they will remain with Australia.
“The Ashes have been in Australia’s hands since 1973 and, on this depressing evidence, they are staying there,” the UK Telegraph’s Ross Heppenstall wrote.
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Meanwhile, The Times’ Stephen Jones was equally scathing.
“The bad news is there was not even the suggestion of a looming shock on Saturday and Australia really could have run up a bigger score,” he wrote.
“Nothing in that long absence appears to have changed in the ascendancy and especially the skills of Australia, compared with the clumping effort and honesty of England, or Great Britain as they were once called.
“Up the middle it was fairly even but once Australia moved the ball to the sides they had so much more incisiveness and composure that comparisons were painful.
“For England, George Williams and Mikey Lewis did their best to find space and make tries, but way too often Lewis was reduced to punting high kicks too long to be regathered by chasers.
“He could not replicate any of his superlative form that won the Super League for Hull Kingston Rovers.”
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In a scary reality, England’s press have also realised the Kangaroos were not at their best at Wembley, and will only further improve with one performance under their belt.
“In truth, it could have been a lot worse. Australia started slowly and led by only eight points at halftime but eased clear in the second half while England wasted chances and made simple mistakes,” the BBC’s Emma Smith wrote.
“Australia will retain the Ashes if they beat England at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool next weekend – and they are not out of second gear yet.”
While The Times’ Jones echoed that opinion.
“It is hard going into every series for England because they have no one of any standing to play, so they start underprepared,” he wrote.
“But the chances are that, after 22 years of Ashes drought, the modern-day Ashes will have a starkly familiar outcome.
“Frighteningly, Australia claimed after the match that they were disappointed with themselves.”
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