Australia complete Ashes series whitewash thanks to win over England in Leeds
Australia will return down under with smiles on their faces after completing a 3-0 series whitewash over England thanks to a 30-8 win in the third and final Test at AMT Headingley in Leeds.
The Kangaroos emerged victors in all three matches in the first Ashes Test series in 22 years, having won 26-6 at Wembley, 14-4 at Hill Dickinson Stadium and 30-8 at AMT Headingley.
England boss Shaun Wane made two changes to his side for the third and final Test, with Harry Newman and Joe Burgess coming in for Jake Wardle and Dom Young.
Meanwhile, Australia coach Kevin Walters made just one change from the win at Everton last time out, as influential skipper Isaah Yeo returned in place of Lindsay Smith.
It was a fine start from Australia as the ball went wide to left winger Josh Addo-Carr, who dived over out wide after the referee deemed that Joe Burgess had knocked on. Nathan Cleary converted to give his side a 6-0 lead after six minutes.
Kallum Watkins thought he had pulled one back for England midway through the first half after Mark Nawaqanitawase failed to deal with a kick, and Watkins pounced on the loose ball – but his effort was ruled out by the video referee.
Australia got their second in the 26th minute as Hudson Young raced onto a neat grubber from Cameron Munster, with Young just getting to the ball before makeshift fullback Lewis.
England hit back on the half-hour mark as Jez Litten made a blistering dart from dummy half, selling Reece Walsh an outrageous dummy to grubber it through for the supporting George Williams to score. Harry Smith converted, and England were just 12-6 behind.
The touring Kangaroos thought they had extended their lead late in the first half as Lewis failed to collect a high kick inside from Kotoni Staggs, and Lindsay Collins grounded the ball, but it was ruled out by the video referee for Collins being on the dead-ball line.
England halfback Smith reduced the deficit heading into the half-time interval with a penalty goal, with Wane’s side 12-8 behind at the break.
Australian speedster Addo-Carr thought he had his second early on in the second half, but it was chalked off by the video referee for offside.
Harry Grant delivered a dagger to English hearts on the hour mark as he burst out from dummy-half to go under the sticks from less than 10 metres out, catching the England defence off guard. Cleary’s boot made the score 18-8 in favour of the Kangaroos.
Australia put the game out of reach with just 12 minutes to go, as Walsh was the first to react to a loose ball and raced under the posts. Cleary added the extras, putting Australia 24-8 ahead.
And with two minutes left on the clock, Walsh grabbed his second as he danced his way through a tired England defence to touch down. Cleary converted his fifth goal from as many attempts, with Australia finishing 30-8 winners under the Headingley lights and 3-0 Ashes winners.
England: AJ Brimson; Joe Burgess, Herbie Farnworth, Harry Newman, Tom Johnstone; George Williams, Harry Smith; Mike McMeeken, Jez Litten, Matty Lees, Kallum Watkins, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Knowles. Subs: Mikey Lewis, Alex Walmsley, Morgan Smithies, Mikolaj Oledzki.
Tries Williams Goals: Smith 2/2
Australia: Reece Walsh; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Kotoni Staggs, Gehamat Shibasaki, Josh Addo-Carr; Cameron Munster, Nathan Cleary; Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Angus Crichton, Hudson Young, Isaah Yeo. Subs: Tom Dearden, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi.
Tries: Addo-Carr, Young, Grant, Walsh (2) Goals: Cleary 5/5
Referee: Grant Atkins Attendance: 19,500