Rugby League Ashes 2025: Australia complete 3-0 series whitewash with 30-8 drubbing of England in third Test
Australia completed a 3-0 Ashes series whitewash over England as they finished off with a 30-8 drubbing at Headingley Stadium in Leeds.
Australia had a 12-8 half-time lead after taking up all the early scoring, converted efforts from Josh Addo-Carr and Hudson Young putting them 12-0 up.
England managed to hit back through skipper George Williams plus a late penalty conversion from Harry Smith to keep themselves well in the contest with 40 minutes to play.
Josh Addo-Carr was the first try scorer as he dived into open space
However, the second half was a sorry tale for Shaun Wane’s side as three unanswered tries went in through Harry Grant and a Reece Walsh double, Nathan Cleary accurate with the boot for all three as they racked up 30 points.
With this result adding to the Kangaroos’ 26-6 win at Wembley and 14-4 victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium, it sees Wane under pressure in the top job with the Rugby League World Cup just around the corner in 2026.
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England dealt body blow as Australia complete series sweep
Australia fired an early warning shot to the hosts when hooker Harry Grant scythed through the middle of the field, only for England to scramble back.
But they did not learn their lessons and within minutes, the Kangaroos took the lead. Joe Burgess, in the side for the injured Dom Young, dropped the ball on a kick return and was then exploited for being out of position as Cameron Munster looped a pass over him for Addo-Carr to score.
Addo-Carr took advantage of a poor defensive ready by Joe Burgess
As has been the case throughout the series, England had no issues making their way up field – but once they were there, they struggled to cause issues. They weren’t aided by the early withdrawal of AJ Brimson due to a shoulder problem, with Mikey Lewis brought on as a makeshift full-back.
Instead, the touring side extended their lead on 27 minutes. Munster’s threaded kick was not dealt with and Young beat Lewis to the ball to score for the third straight game.
Hudson Young made sure to go over and make it three matches out of three to cross the whitewash
But by half-time, England were in the game. A moment of sheer brilliance by Jez Litten carved open Australia, splitting the markers, sublimely fooling Walsh with a dummy and then kicking forward for captain Williams to score.
Smith converted and added a penalty goal on the hooter to cut the arrears to four points at half-time.
England hit back through their skipper George Williams
There was no question about England’s desire to win and avoid a clean sweep in the series, and that boiled over on numerous occasions at the start of the second half, with the teams having to be separated after a string of flare-ups.
That said, Wane’s side were the better of the two and generated pressure through back-to-back dropouts.
Harry Smith score a penalty conversion on the stroke of half-time
But once again, pressure did not turn into points and when Australia had their moment, they took it. England switched off on their own line and that allowed elusive hooker Grant to dart out of dummy half and stretch over to score, with Cleary adding the extras for a 10-point lead. It has been the story of the series.
The wounds of the past two games were opened up again when Walsh scored soon after, picking up a loose ball after Harry Newman’s intercept and racing through a hole in the defence to further extend the lead and ensure England would be whitewashed.
Reece Walsh danced through twice in the second half for Australia
He then added another, displaying his dazzling footwork to step inside two men for a simple try. Once again, a cruel scoreline, but a reflection of how brutal the Kangaroos can be if they are not punished in their moments of vulnerability.
Now, England must contemplate how they can take a step closer to the world’s best with a Rugby League World Cup on the horizon on their turf.
Rugby League Ashes 2025
First Test: England 6-26 Australia
Second Test: England 4-14 Australia
Third Test: England 8-30 Australia
