Australia Dominates England 26-6 in Rugby League Ashes Opener at Wembley

Kangaroos Assert Dominance in Ashes Return

London, England – Australia delivered a powerful performance at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, October 25, 2025, defeating England 26-6 in the first Rugby League Ashes series match in 22 years. The dominant display saw the Kangaroos take an early lead in the three-Test series, which marks a significant revival of the historic rivalry between the two nations.

The match, played before an Ashes-record crowd of 60,812, showcased Australia's clinical execution and formidable attack.

Walsh and Crichton Lead Scoring Blitz

Australian fullback Reece Walsh, making his Test debut, was a standout performer, scoring two tries and earning the 'Man of the Match' award. Second-rower Angus Crichton also crossed the try line twice, contributing significantly to Australia's scoreline. Halfback Nathan Cleary maintained a flawless record with the boot, converting all four tries and adding a penalty goal, accumulating 10 points for his team.

England's sole points came from a late consolation try by hooker Daryl Clark in the 76th minute, which was converted by Mikey Lewis. Despite a tight opening 20 minutes, Australia established an 8-0 halftime lead and continued to extend their advantage throughout the second half.

Historical Context and Series Outlook

This match marked the return of the Rugby League Ashes series after a 22-year hiatus, with the last series played in 2003. Historically, Australia has held a strong record, having won the last 13 consecutive Ashes series since 1970. The series is a best-of-three format, with the next two Tests scheduled for:

• Saturday, November 1 at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool
• Saturday, November 8 at AMT Headingley Stadium in Leeds

Australian coach Kevin Walters expressed satisfaction with his team's ability to 'gelled very quickly', while England coach Shaun Wane described his team's performance as 'poor' and 'torture', acknowledging that 'the best team won'. Australia faced a setback with captain Isaah Yeo leaving the field early due to a head injury, ruling him out of the second Test.