Australia coach Kevin Walters addresses England criticism as Shaun Wane defence aired
Australia coach Kevin Walters admits he has been surprised at the criticism levelled the way of England and his counterpart Shaun Wane during this autumn’s Ashes series.
The three successive World Cup winners showed their class on English soil this autumn, claiming a 3-0 series whitewash, thanks to a 26-6 win at Wembley, a 14-4 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium and a 30-8 win at Headingley.
Australia already had the Ashes series wrapped up with a game to spare, but Saturday’s game was only 12-8 in favour of the Kangaroos at half-time before Walters’ side scored 18 unanswered points in the second half to emerge comfortable winners.
Wane has been criticised during the series amid England’s below-par performances, but Walters refuted that criticism post-match, saying: “I certainly have been (surprised), and that's just talking to our players after these games.
“Some of the Australian press were saying it's been a walk in the park. Well, come over for a walk in the park against the English and see how you go. They were tough games.
“The more we play these games, it used to be a part of history, and it just helps both nations.
“When they (England) get a bit of a roll on, it's great Test football, very good Test football.
“Playing against England, they upset you in many ways. We've got to learn from that as a group and get better next time.”
England have not beaten Australia since 1995, and now have to gear themselves up for a World Cup taking place down under next year, with the aim of stopping the Kangaroos winning their fourth straight World Cup.
"We were never comfortable up in the coaches’ box throughout the whole game, and the English side never gave us too many opportunities to kick away in the game,” said Walters.
“That's been the case, really, for all three games.
“There's been some chat back in Australia about this English side, but if you speak to our players, they've got nothing but respect for them and the way they play their football.
“It's a different style of game here, and it's great that our boys can experience that now.”