🔗 Share this article

As stated by skipper George Williams, England were given a stark "reality check" as Australia clinched the coveted Ashes trophy.

Australia's 14-4 victory at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on the weekend gave them a commanding series edge, making the upcoming sold-out third Test a dead rubber.

Shaun Wane's side had come into the series holding aspirations of sending Australia to their first Ashes series defeat since 1970.

In the past two years, they had enjoyed a dominant victory over Tonga and a series win over Samoa. But as the historic rivalry returned after a long break, England were failed to make the leap against the reigning title holders.

"No excuses from us. We've had enough training periods to get it right on the pitch, and it's clear we've achieved that," the captain commented.

"Credit to Australia. They were good in defense. But there's plenty to address. It seems not as good as we expected we were going into this series.

"So it's a necessary wake-up call for us, and we have plenty to enhance."

Australia 'Show Up and Prove Clinical'

Having been heavily outplayed in an sloppy showing at the national stadium, Wane side's were significantly better on Saturday back in the rugby league heartlands of the North.

During an energetic initial stages, England caused turnovers from the Kangaroos and had dominant territory and ball control, but unfortunately did not convert opportunities on the scoreboard.

Notably, the English team have now managed just one score over two full matches, with player Daryl Clark powering through late on in the defeat in London.

In contrast, Australia have racked up six so far - and when errors began to creep into the England's play just after the half-time, it was a case of when, not if, they were going to be severely punished.

First Cameron Munster crossed, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being tied at 4-4, England were trailing by 10.

"Proud for the majority of the game. In my view for most of the match we were solid," said the coach.

"The drop in intensity for 10 minutes after half-time damaged us greatly. Munster's try was avoidable and should never happen in a top-level game.

"The team is heartbroken. So proud the players had a fight but so disappointed with that second-half lapse, which hurt us dearly."

While the upcoming global tournament in Oceania is just under 12 months away, the team's short-term goal will be on attempting to salvage honor, avoiding a clean sweep and addressing the issues that frustrated Wane.

"I wanted to see more thrown at Australia. I wanted us to maintain momentum in the game - we didn't do that last week," added the veteran coach.

"We did this week. It's just a bit of detail in our offensive play where we could have put them under more pressure. We need to stop each of [tries] more effectively.

"Credit to Australia - that is no slight to them. They arrive and are merciless when they capitalize, and we failed to be, but defensively we must do enhance.

"They will be obsessed to win the series whitewash and we need to be obsessed to make it 2-1. I've said that to the players. It has to be our primary goal. It will be a difficult week but whoever wants it the most will get the win next week."

Intensity Must to Increase in Super League

England have played a similar number of international fixtures to the Kangaroos since the previous global tournament in recent years.

Yet the coach thinks that the quality of the NRL - and standard of the State of Origin matches between New South Wales and QLD - offer a more effective grounding for performing at the top of the global stage than what is on offer in the northern hemisphere.

Wane commented that the packed domestic league fixture list allowed little opportunity for him to train his players during the campaign, which will only pose further questions around how the national team can bridge the gap to Australia before heading to Oceania in 2026.

"They participate in a large number of Test matches in their competition," Wane remarked.

"England play ten to fifteen a year. It's crucial demanding games to enhance the domestic league and increase our chances of winning these high-stakes fixtures.

"I couldn't even train with the squad. We never got on the field in the season and despite having the total cooperation of all clubs in Super League.

"I understand in the position of the head coaches that need to win games. The competition is that packed. It's a pity but it's not the reason we got beaten today."