🔗 Share this article

As stated by captain George Williams, the national team were delivered a harsh "wake-up call" as the Kangaroos won the prestigious series.

The Kangaroos' 14-4 triumph at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on the weekend gave them a commanding series edge, making the upcoming sold-out third Test a academic contest.

The England team had entered the series holding aspirations of inflicting Australia to their initial series loss since the 1970s.

Recently, they had achieved a 3-0 series win over Tonga and a series win over the Samoan team. But as the Rugby League Ashes resumed after a long break, the English were unable to take the next step against the top-ranked team.

"No excuses from us. There were enough preparations to execute properly on the pitch, and it's clear we've quite done that," Williams told.

"Australia deserve praise. They were excellent in defense. But there's plenty to work on. We're probably not as prepared as we thought we were going into this series.

"So it's a valuable wake-up call for us, and [there is] loads to enhance."

The Kangaroos 'Turn Up and Prove Merciless'

After being soundly beaten in an error-strewn display at Wembley, Wane side's were markedly enhanced on Saturday back in the core regions of England's north.

In a rousing opening period, England forced mistakes from the Kangaroos and had dominant territory and ball control, but unfortunately did not capitalize on the scoreboard.

Notably, the English team have now managed just a single touchdown over two full matches, with player Daryl Clark powering through late on in the loss in London.

In contrast, Australia have accumulated six across the series - and when blunders began to appear in the hosts' play just after the interval, it was a case of certainty, they were going to be heavily penalized.

Initially the playmaker crossed, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being tied at four-all, England were down by double digits.

"Satisfied for the bulk of the game. In my view for 70 minutes we were solid," said Wane.

"The lapse for 10 minutes after the break damaged us severely. Munster's try was avoidable and should not be scored in a international fixture.

"The team is devastated. So proud the players had a fight but so disappointed with that post-interval, which proved costly dearly."

While the upcoming global tournament in Australia and Papua New Guinea is just under next year, England's primary concern will be on trying to salvage honor, avoiding a clean sweep and eradicating the errors that frustrated the coach.

"I wanted to see more thrown at Australia. I wanted us to build pressure in the game - we didn't do that last week," added the 61-year-old.

"We did this week. The issue is a lack of precision in our offensive play where we could have applied under greater stress. It's essential to defend both [tries] better.

"Fair play to the Kangaroos - that is not a criticism to them. They arrive and are merciless when they capitalize, and we failed to be, but defensively we can and should do enhance.

"The Australians will be obsessed to win 3-0 and we need to be equally determined to make it a respectable scoreline. I've told that to the players. This must become our primary goal. It will be a tough week but whoever desires it the greatest will secure victory next week."

Competitive Edge Must to Improve in Super League

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

However Wane believes that the caliber of the Australian league - and standard of the domestic rivalry matches between New South Wales and QLD - offer a superior preparation for competing at the highest level of the international game than what is available in the UK.

The England coach added that the congested domestic league fixture schedule left little opportunity for him to coach his players during the campaign, which will only pose more issues around how England can close the divide to Australia before travelling to Oceania in 2026.

"The Australians play a large number of internationals in their competition," he stated.

"We play 10-15 a year. It's crucial highly competitive games to enhance the domestic league and improve our prospects of winning these types of matches.

"I couldn't even practice with the players. We never got on the field in the campaign and despite having the full backing of everyone in Super League.

"I understand in the position of the club managers that need to win games. The competition is that congested. It's a pity but that's not the reason we were defeated today."