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According to leader George Williams, the national team were given a stark "wake-up call" as Australia won the coveted Ashes trophy.

The Kangaroos' decisive 14-4 win at the stadium in Liverpool on the weekend gave them a unassailable 2-0 advantage, making next week's final match in Leeds a dead rubber.

The England team had come into the series dreaming of inflicting Australia to their initial series loss since 1970.

In the past two years, they had secured a clean sweep over Tonga and a 2-0 triumph over Samoa. But as the prestigious competition returned after a 22-year absence, the English were unable to make the leap against the top-ranked team.

"No excuses from us. We've had enough training periods to get it right on the field, and it's clear we've quite done that," the captain commented.

"Full marks to the Kangaroos. They were strong defensively. But we've got a lot to address. It seems not as strong as we thought we were entering this series.

"So it's a good reality check for us, and [there is] loads to develop."

Australia 'Show Up and Are Merciless'

After being comprehensively defeated in an error-strewn display at the national stadium, Wane side's were significantly better on Saturday back in the traditional strongholds of the North.

In a rousing opening period, England forced mistakes from the Australians and had dominant territory and ball control, but crucially did not capitalize on the points tally.

Tellingly, England have now scored just one try over the series so far, with player the forward scoring late on in the loss in London.

In contrast, the Kangaroos have scored six in two games - and when blunders began to affect the hosts' play just after the break, it was a case of when, not if, they were going to be made to pay.

Initially the playmaker crossed, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being level at 4-4, England were down by double digits.

"Satisfied for the majority of the game. In my view for 70 minutes we were solid," said Wane.

"The switch off for 10 minutes after half-time hurt us immensely. The first try was easy and should not be scored in a international fixture.

"We're deeply disappointed. Extremely pleased the squad had a go but so disappointed with that post-interval, which cost us dearly."

Although the next World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere is just under a year from now, the team's immediate focus will be on attempting to regain respect, preventing a series whitewash and addressing the errors that annoyed Wane.

"I wanted to see greater effort thrown at Australia. My aim was us to apply sustained attack in the game - we fell short last week," added the veteran coach.

"We did this week. The issue is a bit of detail in our offensive play where we could have put them under increased strain. We need to defend both [tries] with greater resolve.

"Fair play to the Kangaroos - that is no slight to them. They perform and are clinical when they get a chance, and we weren't, but in defense we must do improve.

"The Australians will be obsessed to win 3-0 and we need to be obsessed to make it a competitive series. I've said that to the players. It has to be our main aim. It's going to be a challenging week but the side that wants it the greatest will secure victory next week."

Intensity Must to Increase in Domestic Competition

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

However the coach believes that the quality of the Australian league - and quality of the State of Origin matches between New South Wales and Queensland - offer a more effective foundation for competing at the highest level of the global stage than what is available in the Europe.

The England coach noted that the packed domestic league fixture list left no time for him to train his players during the season, which will only pose further questions around how England can narrow the difference to the Kangaroos before heading to Oceania in 2026.

"The Australians participate in a lot of Test matches in their league," he added.

"England have ten to fifteen a year. It's crucial really intense games to boost the domestic league and increase our chances of winning these sorts of games.

"I couldn't even train with the squad. There was no chance to got on the field in the campaign and despite having the total cooperation of everyone in the domestic competition.

"I have also been in the boots of the club managers that must to win games. The league is that congested. It's a pity but that's not the reason we were defeated today."