England's Rugby League Ashes Hopes Conclude with Harsh 'Reality Check'

In the words of captain George Williams, England were handed a brutal "reality check" as the Kangaroos secured the prestigious series.

The Kangaroos' 14-4 victory at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday gave them a unassailable 2-0 advantage, making the upcoming final match in Leeds a dead rubber.

Shaun Wane's side had come into the series dreaming of inflicting the Kangaroos to their initial series loss since 1970.

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

"No excuses from us. There were enough preparations to perform correctly on the pitch, and it's clear we've managed that," the captain commented.

"Credit to Australia. They were good in defense. But we've got loads to improve. We're probably not as strong as we expected we were entering this series.

"This serves as a valuable reality check for us, and we have plenty to develop."

The Kangaroos 'Show Up and Are Ruthless'

After being soundly beaten in an mistake-ridden performance at the national stadium, England's were significantly better on Saturday back in the traditional strongholds of the North.

During an energetic opening period, the home side caused turnovers from the Kangaroos and had superior positioning and possession, but crucially did not capitalize on the scoreboard.

Notably, the English team have now scored just a single touchdown over the series so far, with player Daryl Clark barging over late on in the defeat in the capital.

In contrast, the Kangaroos have racked up half a dozen in two games - and when mistakes began to affect the England's play just after the half-time, it was a case of inevitability, they were going to be made to pay.

First Cameron Munster crossed, and then so too did the forward. From being level at 4-4, the home side were 10 points adrift.

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

"The switch off for 10 minutes after half-time hurt us greatly. The first try was easy and should not be scored in a Test match.

"We're devastated. So proud the squad had a fight but so disappointed with that second-half lapse, which hurt us significantly."

While the next World Cup in Australia and Papua New Guinea is just under next year, the team's primary concern will be on trying to regain respect, preventing a clean sweep and eradicating the mistakes that frustrated Wane.

"I hoped to see greater effort thrown at the opposition. My aim was us to apply sustained attack in the game - we didn't do that last week," added the veteran coach.

"We managed this week. It's just a lack of precision in our attack where we could have applied under increased strain. We need to stop each of [tries] better.

"Credit to the Kangaroos - that is not a criticism to them. They perform and are ruthless when they capitalize, and we failed to be, but in defense we can and should do improve.

"They will be focused to win all three Tests and we need to be obsessed to make it 2-1. I've told that to the squad. It has to be our obsession. It will be a tough week but the side that strives for it the most will get the win next week."

Intensity Needs to Increase in Domestic Competition

The English side have participated in a comparable number of Test matches to Australia since the last World Cup in recent years.

However Wane thinks that the strength of the Australian league - and standard of the State of Origin matches between New South Wales and Queensland - provide a much better foundation for performing at the top of the international game than what is on offer in the northern hemisphere.

Wane added that the hectic Super League fixture schedule left little opportunity for him to coach his squad during the season, which will only pose further questions around how the national team can bridge the gap to Australia before travelling to Oceania in the next World Cup.

"The Australians participate in a lot of Test matches in their league," Wane remarked.

"England have 10-15 a year. We need demanding games to improve the competition and improve our chances of winning these high-stakes fixtures.

"I couldn't even train with the players. We never got on the field in the campaign and I had the full backing of everyone in the domestic competition.

"I have also been in the position of the club managers that need to win games. The competition is that congested. It's unfortunate but that's not the reason we lost today."