The Australian players have given Shaun Wane’s squad plenty to think about following a comprehensive 26-6 victory in the first Ashes test at Wembley.
But England’s biggest worry as they attempt to somehow save the series in Liverpool next weekend may well come in the form of another Australian, referee Grant Atkins.
As was announced by the RFL at the start of the Ashes series, the NRL grand final whistle blower will take charge of the second test.
The move has alarm bells sounding across the north of England given the likelihood it will lead to a significantly cleaner and faster game, especially at the ruck.
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While the Kangaroos dominated the first test in London, the general consensus is Kevin Walters’ side would have won even more convincingly had top English referee Liam Moore not been so tolerant of the slower ruck speeds and messier play the balls, as typically seen in the Super League.
“The rucks, yeah they were definitely slower than back home, but that was to be expected,” Nathan Cleary said after the first test.
“Everyone gets away with a little bit more (in the English game), it’s definitely a different style to back home.”
Of course, the Kangaroos had fully anticipated the game would be played at a slower pace under the refereeing of Moore, enlisting Hull KR head coach coach Willie Peters to provide ‘local knowledge’ of the English game as a key assistant to Kevin Walters.
With Sydney-based Atkins taking over the whistle for the second test, a faster game will likely spell huge trouble for an English side clearly outgunned in London and scrambling for answers to save the three-match series.
A decision on the referee for the third Ashes test at Headingley will be made following Saturday’s match in Liverpool.