Munster magnificent as Ashes retained: Talking points as Australia beat England in second test

Cameron Munster banished his NRL Grand Final heartbreak as Australia edged a 14-4 victory against a spirited England in Liverpool to retain the Ashes in Saturday's second test.

The Melbourne Storm half-back scored the game-breaking try for the tourists and combined with spine partners Nathan Cleary and Harry Grant to superlative effect on Merseyside.

After they were routed at Wembley Stadium in the three-game series opener, Shaun Wane's hosts needed a response to keep the series alive and kept their rivals close at hand.

But an improved performance ultimately could not break the Kangaroos down, who built their triumph on defensive grit and head to Leeds seeking to secure a whitewash result.

DAZN News looks at the key talking points from Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Munster seizes limelight to rewrite story

After ceding top billing to Reece Walsh in London last weekend, Munster stepped under the bright lights before a boisterous, more energetic crowd closer to heartland territory.

The Queensland star is no stranger to running the show at state level, but despite Australia's sustained success, questions have lingered over his partnership with Nathan Cleary.

The Penrith Panthers favourite plays opposite Munster for club and state, with New South Wales, and pundits back home have wondered if they are the best combination at hand.

But in former Maroons boss Kevin Walters, Australia have a man who knows how to get the best out of both stars in tandemn - and behind hooker Harry Grant, they ran the show.

Munster edged matters overall, working a strong catalogue of defensive reads before rounding England captain George Williams for the first try of the match with the scores at 4-4.

After coming up short against Brisbane Broncos last month in pursuit of the Premiership, a series triumph here marks a sweet result for the star, who lost his father earlier this year.

Improved England show spirit but fail to execute

It seems weird to suggest that a performance by a team who failed to score a try was better than one where they crossed the whitewash - but so it proved to be for the hosts here.

England rolled the dice and reshuffled their spine, with Gold Coast Titans convert AJ Brimson the eye-catching inclusion pre-game, replacing St Helens full-back Jack Welsby.

The standout choice was the decision to return Wigan Warriors half-back Harry Smith to the line-up however, with his kicking game laying the platform for a bruising first half.

With both teams exchanging only two penalties apiece before the break, it was clear how his game naturally freed up captain George Williams to play looser with ball in hand.

But Wane's men could not execute against an immaculate sliding defence, and on the surprisingly rare chances Australia got close to their line, they were duly punished too.

Williams was susceptible for Munster's try, and even with Walsh sin-binned late on, England failed to make their man advantage tell. Serious work remains to be done for them.

Australia eye whitewash as Ashes spirit shines through

Before a record crowd that still left large swathes of Wembley Stadium empty, a raucous atmosphere across the first half at Hill Dickinson Stadium fed some old-fashioned fire.

An early melee saw England winger Dom Young and Australia enforcer Tino Fa'asuamaleaui sent to the sin bin, with periodic bouts sparking up here and there throughout.

The hosts needed to ensure they stood up and were counted this time around, and it is hard to argue against their determination - but that alone will not win them the battle.

Australia are no stranger to securing a clean sweep against their rivals, such is the dominance of the international game, and Walters knows such a result may dictate his future.

It feels weird to consider the Kangaroos boss is under threat, but anything less than victory at Headingley will shame the tourists ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

England will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer, with enough flashes to suggest they could spring an upset. But for now, they still face a mountain to climb.

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