Australia Pursues Ashes Whitewash as Walters’ Future Hangs in the balance
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Australia is on the cusp of another dominant Ashes series victory, but the pursuit of a 3-0 whitewash over England carries significant implications for coach Kevin Walters’ long-term future.As the teams prepare for the final Test, questions linger over whether England can salvage pride in a dead rubber match and if tactical adjustments can ignite a spark in their struggling attack. Fans can watch the 2025 Rugby League Ashes LIVE with no ad-breaks on FOX LEAGUE, available through Kayo, with a first-month subscription available for just $1.
Golden Boot Race Heats Up
Five Kangaroos players are in contention for the prestigious 2025 Golden Boot award, recognizing the international player of the year. Reece Walsh, Reuben Cotter, Angus Crichton, Harry Grant, and Cam Munster have all been nominated following standout performances throughout the international season. Currently, Walsh and Crichton appear to be the frontrunners for the award after two compelling Ashes fixtures.
Walsh showcased his dazzling form in the opening Test, while Crichton has consistently impressed with his all-around play. The Roosters star has averaged an extraordinary five tackle busts, 118 running metres, two offloads, and 31 tackles per game. Should an Australian claim the award, it would mark the second consecutive year, following Isaah Yeo’s win in 2024. Notably, no England players received a nomination this year.While a series whitewash would undoubtedly bolster an Australian player’s chances, strong performances from nominees like Dylan Brown, Matt Timoko, and casey McLean (for the Kiwis), as well as Samoa’s Jeremiah Nanai and Payne Haas, could also sway the vote. The Pacific Cup final between New Zealand and Samoa on Sunday adds another layer of intrigue, with the 2025 Golden Boot winner to be announced next month.
Brutal Assessment of England’s Performance
Despite competitive scorelines in the first two Tests,England’s performance has drawn harsh criticism from rugby league legend Greg Alexander. Alexander believes that, based on current form, England would struggle to defeat several NRL sides.
Responding to a hypothetical posed by Maroons and Broncos great Corey Parker, Alexander stated bluntly, “Please, they’d (NRL clubs) beat them comfortably.Yes.”
Australia’s Rotation Policy Sparks Debate
Australia’s dominant position in the series has allowed coach Kevin Walters to experiment with his squad, giving some of the reserves valuable experience. “I thought it was a great opportunity – not because they where banging the door down – but because they’ve been over there on tour,” Parker said. Though, the players themselves appear to support Walters’ decision.”I entirely understand it,” Moses told the Sydney Morning Herald. “I feel like if I was in that position I wouldn’t want to give up my spot either.” Skipper Isaah Yeo added, “You never want to give away your jersey, but on the flip side is you’d love to give the boys who haven’t played an opportunity as they’ve been fantastic for us.”
England to Shake Up Attack?
In contrast to Australia’s stability, England appears set to utilize it’s entire 24-player squad throughout the series. Coach Shaun Wane has made two changes to his lineup for the final Test. Winger Dom Young’s injury forces a change, with Hull KR’s Joe Burgess taking his place. Additionally, Harry Newman will replace Jake Wardle in the backline, who has been playing through injury. Wane has also confirmed that playmaker mikey Lewis will see increased playing time.
Lewis, the Super League grand final man of the match, adds a much-needed element of x-factor to the England attack. “I imagine Mikey is going to have more minutes,” Wane stated. “There was a lot of talk about bringing him earlier in game two. When you look at what he did, I won’t hesitate this week to bring him on earlier.” with England having scored just ten points and one try in the first two Tests, Lewis’s injection of creativity could provide a much-needed spark.
