🔗 Share this article

As stated by skipper the England captain, the national team were delivered a brutal "sobering lesson" as Australia secured the coveted Ashes trophy.

The Kangaroos' 14-4 victory at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on the weekend gave them a 2-0 series lead, making next week's sold-out third Test a academic contest.

The England team had entered the series dreaming of inflicting the Kangaroos to their maiden Ashes setback since over five decades ago.

In the past two years, they had achieved a clean sweep over the Tongan side and a 2-0 triumph over the Samoan team. But as the prestigious competition resumed after a 22-year absence, England were failed to take the next step against the reigning title holders.

"No excuses from us. There were enough training periods to perform correctly on the field, and it's clear we've achieved that," Williams stated.

"Full marks to the Kangaroos. They proved strong defensively. But there's a lot to address. We're probably not as prepared as we expected we were going into this series.

"So it's a good reality check for us, and we have plenty to improve on."

The Kangaroos 'Arrive and Prove Clinical'

After being comprehensively defeated in an error-strewn display at the national stadium, Wane side's were markedly enhanced on the weekend back in the rugby league heartlands of England's north.

During an energetic initial stages, the home side caused turnovers from the Australians and had superior positioning and ball control, but unfortunately did not make it count on the points tally.

Significantly, England have now scored just a single touchdown over 160 minutes, with St Helens hooker the forward scoring late on in the loss in the capital.

On the other hand, Australia have racked up six so far - and when blunders began to appear in the hosts' play just after the break, it was a case of inevitability, they were going to be heavily penalized.

Initially Cameron Munster went over, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being level at four-all, the home side were trailing by 10.

"Proud for the majority of the game. In my view for 70 minutes we were solid," said the coach.

"The drop in intensity for 10 minutes after half-time damaged us greatly. Munster's try was easy and should not be scored in a top-level game.

"The team is deeply disappointed. Extremely pleased the squad had a go but so disappointed with that after half-time, which hurt us heavily."

While the upcoming global tournament in Australia and Papua New Guinea is just under 12 months away, England's immediate focus will be on trying to regain respect, avoiding a clean sweep and addressing the errors that frustrated the coach.

"I hoped to see more thrown at Australia. My aim was us to maintain momentum in the game - we failed to deliver last week," added the 61-year-old.

"We managed this week. It's just a bit of detail in our offense where we could have applied under greater stress. It's essential to defend both [tries] more effectively.

"Fair play to Australia - that is no detriment to them. They perform and are clinical when they capitalize, and we failed to be, but defensively we must do enhance.

"The Australians will be obsessed to win all three Tests and we need to be just as focused to make it a respectable scoreline. I've said that to the squad. This must become our obsession. It will be a difficult week but the side that strives for it the greatest will secure victory next week."

Intensity Needs to Improve in Domestic Competition

England have participated in a comparable number of Test matches to Australia since the last World Cup in 2022.

Yet the coach thinks that the strength of the NRL - and level of the State of Origin matches between New South Wales and Queensland - deliver a more effective preparation for performing at the top of the international game than what is on offer in the UK.

Wane added that the packed Super League calendar allowed no time for him to work with his players during the campaign, which will only pose more issues around how the national team can narrow the difference to Australia before heading to Oceania in 2026.

"They participate in a lot of internationals in their league," he added.

"We play 10-15 a year. We need highly competitive games to improve the domestic league and boost our chances of succeeding in these sorts of games.

"I couldn't even practice with the squad. There was no chance to trained together in the season and I had the complete support of all clubs in Super League.

"I understand in the position of the club managers that must to win games. The league is that tight. It's a pity but that's not the reason we got beaten today."