Australia completed a dominant 3-0 sweep over England in the Rugby League Ashes series, showcasing their prowess in the final Test at Headingley.
Australia’s Swift Start
The match began with Australia taking an early lead just five minutes in. Cameron Munster’s precise pass enabled Josh Addo-Carr to score in the corner, putting Australia ahead 4-0.
England Faces Early Setbacks
England’s woes started with Joe Burgess, who made a crucial mistake by conceding a knock-on, giving Australia a prime scoring opportunity. Adding to their troubles, England’s full-back AJ Brimson suffered a shoulder injury, leading to an early substitution with Mikey Lewis stepping in.
Australia Capitalizes on Mistakes
- Australia extended their lead to 12-0 after another England error.
- Morgan Knowles’ knock-on allowed Munster to execute a grubber kick, which was skillfully grounded by Hudson Young.
England Fights Back
Despite a lackluster performance throughout the series, England found a spark. Jez Litten broke free after a rare Reece Walsh error and set up George Williams for a try, narrowing the score to 12-8 with a penalty from Harry Smith before halftime.
Australia Responds After the Break
Post halftime, Australia looked to regain control. However, a potential third try by Addo-Carr was ruled out for offside, allowing England to regain some momentum. The Headingley crowd rallied behind their team as England displayed increased creativity and energy.
Decisive Moments for Australia
Despite England’s resurgence, another mistake proved detrimental. Mikey Lewis’s loose tackle led to Grant scoring under the posts, reinforcing Australia’s position as the premier team in rugby league.
Walsh Shines Again
Reece Walsh, the standout player of the series, added two additional tries, solidifying Australia’s 24-8 victory. His performance throughout the series has positioned him as a global rugby league star.
Conclusion
The final match not only underscored Australia’s dominance but also highlighted areas for improvement for England. With a final score of 3-0, the series falls to Australia, confirming their status as reigning world champions in rugby league.
