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According to leader George Williams, the national team were given a harsh "reality check" as the Kangaroos secured the coveted Ashes trophy.

The Kangaroos' 14-4 victory at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday gave them a unassailable 2-0 advantage, making next week's final match in Leeds a meaningless fixture.

Shaun Wane's side had come into the series holding aspirations of sending Australia to their first Ashes series defeat since 1970.

Over the last 24 months, they had achieved a 3-0 series win over the Tongan side and a 2-0 triumph over Samoa. But as the historic rivalry returned after a 22-year absence, the English were failed to make the leap against the world champions.

"We're not making excuses. We've had enough sessions to get it right on the pitch, and I don't think we've achieved that," Williams commented.

"Credit to Australia. They proved strong in defense. But there's a lot to work on. It seems not as strong as we thought we were going into this series.

"This serves as a necessary reality check for us, and there is much to develop."

The Kangaroos 'Arrive and Are Merciless'

Having been comprehensively defeated in an mistake-ridden performance at the national stadium, England's were markedly enhanced on Saturday back in the core regions of northern England.

In a rousing first half, the home side forced mistakes from the Australians and had all the field position and possession, but unfortunately did not capitalize on the scoreboard.

Notably, England have now scored just one score over 160 minutes, with St Helens hooker Daryl Clark barging over late on in the defeat in London.

In contrast, Australia have scored six in two games - and when mistakes began to affect the England's play just after the half-time, it was a case of certainty, they were going to be made to pay.

First Cameron Munster scored, and then so too did the forward. From being tied at four-all, the home side were trailing by 10.

"Satisfied for the bulk of the game. In my view for 70 minutes we were good," said the coach.

"The lapse for a brief period after the break cost us greatly. The first try was avoidable and should never happen in a international fixture.

"The team is deeply disappointed. So proud the players had a fight but so disappointed with that after half-time, which hurt us heavily."

Although the next World Cup in Oceania is just under next year, the team's immediate focus will be on trying to salvage honor, preventing a series whitewash and eradicating the errors that frustrated the coach.

"I hoped to see additional intensity directed toward the opposition. I wanted us to apply sustained attack in the game - we failed to deliver last week," added the 61-year-old.

"We did this week. The issue is a minor refinements in our offense where we could have put them under greater stress. We need to defend both [tries] better.

"Credit to Australia - that is not a criticism to them. They perform and are clinical when they seize opportunities, and we weren't, but defensively we can and should do improve.

"The Australians will be obsessed to win 3-0 and we need to be equally determined to make it a competitive series. I've said that to the squad. It has to be our obsession. It will be a difficult week but whoever wants it the greatest will emerge victorious next week."

Competitive Edge Must to Increase in Super League

The English side have participated in a similar number of Test matches to the Kangaroos since the previous global tournament in 2022.

However Wane argues that the quality of the Australian league - and standard of the State of Origin matches between NSW and QLD - provide a superior foundation for competing at the top of the global stage than what is on offer in the Europe.

Wane added that the packed Super League fixture list left no time for him to train his players during the campaign, which will only pose more issues around how the national team can close the divide to Australia before heading to Oceania in the next World Cup.

"They participate in a large number of Test matches in their competition," Wane remarked.

"We have ten to fifteen a year. We need really intense games to enhance the domestic league and improve our prospects of succeeding in these types of matches.

"I couldn't even practice with the players. We never trained together in the campaign and despite having the total cooperation of all clubs in Super League.

"I understand in the boots of the club managers that need to win games. The league is that packed. It's a pity but it's not the cause we were defeated today."