Megan Wellens

Sports Journalist @MegWellensX

Rugby League Ashes 2025: Australia battle to 14-4 victory against England and secure series win

Australia take unassailable 2-0 lead in Ashes series; Cameron Munster and Hudson Young went over for Australia; scores level at half-time after two penalties each; third Test takes place at Leeds' Headingley Stadium on Saturday November 8 at 2:30pm

Last Updated: 01/11/25 7:25pm

Megan Wellens provides the verdict from the second match in the Rugby League Ashes as Australia clinch the series after a 14-4 win against England

Australia took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Ashes series with a 14-4 victory over England at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

It was a close and fiery battle in the first half that saw the sides go in 4-4 at the break, two penalties from the boot of Nathan Cleary and two from Harry Smith the only scoring.

That fieriness resulted in cards being shown in the third minute, with Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Dom Young sin-binned for an early scuffle.

However, in the second half Australia took control, tries from Cameron Munster and Hudson Young putting them on top.

Reece Walsh was sent to the sin bin in the second half for a high shot on Dom Young

Even with Reece Walsh in the sin bin with 15 minutes to go for a high challenge on Young, England could not find points and fell to defeat and a series loss.

It means England now head to Headingley on Saturday November 8 looking to ensure they do not endure a series whitewash.

England show character but fall to series loss

It was clear from the get-go that England would come out more aggressive in front of an electric, sold-out Hill Dickinson Stadium, and the Australians responded. That resulted in a chaotic start, with referee Grant Atkins issuing four penalties and two sin-bins in the opening seven minutes.

There was quite the battle in the first half with nothing separating the teams

Young and Fa'asuamaleaui were shown yellow cards for their part in a melee between the two teams, which was instigated by an off-the-ball incident between hookers Jez Litten and Harry Grant. Once things had settled down, Cleary gave the touring side the 2-0 lead with a penalty goal.

However, England soon responded through two points of their own from the boot of Smith, who was called up after having been left out of the side for the Wembley opener.

England had the better chances in the opening quarter, with wingers Tom Johnstone and Young both going close, while Morgan Knowles had a try ruled out by the video referee after going over from close range.

Morgan Knowles thought he was over but he knocked on in the build-up

That said, it was Australia who would eventually score next, with Cleary kicking another goal after England conceded three penalties in quick succession. But England were level by the break as Smith scored from the kicking tee again after AJ Brimson was impeded while chasing a high kick, leaving the scores all level at half-time and all to play for.

Once again, though, England would be made to pay for not taking their opportunities, as once Australia got in position, they posted points. That has, fundamentally, been the difference between the teams this series.

Dom Young was a whisker away from scoring for England

Munster bamboozled England captain George Williams with a change of pace and a dummy to slide over on 48 minutes and five minutes later, Young was in the right place at the right time to collect a loose ball from a contested kick to score on the right. Cleary kicked the second goal to establish a ten-point lead.

England had territory, but ultimately were unable to create any clear-cut opportunities, with the Green and Gold never really troubled despite defending their own line. They even managed without their star man Walsh for 10 minutes after he was sin-binned for a shoulder charge on Young.