Rugby League Match Report | England 8 - 30 Australia

Once again, this was not England's day.

Another defeat for the hosts as Australia eased to victory and clinched a 3-0 series win.

Author | Michael Haldsworth

Stadium | Headingley

More than at any point in this Ashes series, Australia were pushed hard by spirited and determined hosts. Yet the outcome was familiar. A late surge of points ended any faint hope of an England victory and completed a comprehensive whitewash. Having also triumphed 3-0 in the previous series in 2003, this marked the first time since 1986 that Australia have achieved back-to-back clean sweeps.

A closer analysis of what happened

England produced flashes of invention and attacking intent that had been missing in the earlier Tests, but they were also architects of their own downfall, gifting the first three Australian tries through unforced errors.

The tone was set within five minutes. After sluggish openings in the first two Tests, Australia started at pace, Cameron Munster looping a wide pass to Josh Addo-Carr on the left wing to finish in the corner.

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Joe Burgess, making his first England appearance in a decade, then spilled possession in a dangerous area, though replays suggested the ball may have been stripped in the tackle.

Australia coach Kevin Walters had promised his side were “all in” despite the dead rubber tag, and with only one change from the second Test, captain Isaah Yeo returning from concussion, they looked intent on proving it.

England’s task became even harder when full-back AJ Brimson was forced off with a shoulder injury after just ten minutes. His replacement, Mikey Lewis, is a gifted player but one operating out of position, and Australia targeted him relentlessly.

It soon got worse. A knock-on from Morgan Knowles handed Australia possession 20 metres out. Munster’s deft grubber was grounded by Hudson Young as Lewis failed to cover, making it 12-0.

For long spells, England’s attack mirrored their struggles at Wembley and Anfield, where they managed just one try across two Tests, full of energy but lacking a cutting edge.

That changed when Jez Litten sparked life into the side, capitalising on a rare Reece Walsh mistake with a blistering break before cleverly kicking through for George Williams to chase and score. Harry Smith’s late first-half penalty narrowed the deficit to four and lifted the mood around Headingley.

Australia began the second half with intent and appeared to have scored again through Addo-Carr, only for the try to be ruled out for offside. England suddenly played with verve and ambition, their tempo quickening as the crowd roared them on.

For a brief spell, the world champions looked shaken. Tempers flared, and Walsh protested after taking a knee to the back in a tackle. But Australia’s composure soon returned. Another England mistake, this time a loose tackle from Lewis, allowed Grant to dart over beneath the posts.

The final say belonged to Walsh, whose brilliance has lit up this series. He crossed twice more to bring his personal tally to four and underline the gulf between the sides. England had their moments, but Australia once again finished as emphatic victors.