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As stated by captain George Williams, the national team were handed a harsh "reality check" as Australia won the prestigious series.

Australia's 14-4 victory at the stadium in Liverpool on Saturday gave them a unassailable 2-0 advantage, making next week's final match in Leeds a dead rubber.

The England team had entered the series holding aspirations of sending Australia to their first Ashes series defeat since the 1970s.

Over the last 24 months, they had enjoyed a dominant victory over the Tongan side and a success over the Samoan team. But as the Rugby League Ashes resumed after a two-decade hiatus, the English were unable to make the leap against the world champions.

"We take full responsibility. We've had enough sessions to perform correctly on the pitch, and it's clear we've quite done that," the captain told.

"Full marks to the Kangaroos. They were good in defense. But there's a lot to improve. We're probably not as prepared as we expected we were entering this series.

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

The Kangaroos 'Show Up and Are Clinical'

After being soundly beaten in an sloppy showing at the national stadium, England's were significantly better on the weekend back in the traditional strongholds of northern England.

In a rousing opening period, the home side caused turnovers from the Kangaroos and had superior positioning and possession, but crucially did not convert opportunities on the points tally.

Notably, England have now scored just one try over 160 minutes, with player the forward scoring late on in the loss in London.

On the other hand, the Kangaroos have accumulated six so far - and when errors began to appear in the hosts' play just after the break, it was a case of inevitability, they were going to be made to pay.

First the playmaker crossed, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being tied at 4-4, England were 10 points adrift.

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

"The lapse for a brief period after half-time hurt us immensely. Munster's try was easy and should never happen in a Test match.

"We're deeply disappointed. Extremely pleased the squad had a fight but very frustrated with that second-half lapse, which cost us significantly."

While the next World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere is just under a year from now, the team's short-term goal will be on trying to salvage honor, avoiding a clean sweep and eradicating the mistakes that frustrated Wane.

"I wanted to see more thrown at the opposition. My aim was us to build pressure in the game - we failed to deliver last week," added the 61-year-old.

"We managed this week. It's just a minor refinements in our offense where we could have applied under increased strain. It's essential to defend both [tries] with greater resolve.

"Fair play to Australia - that is no detriment to them. They arrive and are merciless when they seize opportunities, and we failed to be, but in defense we must do improve.

"They will be determined to win all three Tests and we need to be obsessed to make it a respectable scoreline. I've said that to the squad. This must become our primary goal. It's going to be a tough week but the side that strives for it the most will get the win next week."

Competitive Edge Needs to Increase in Domestic Competition

England have played a comparable number of international fixtures to Australia since the previous global tournament in 2022.

However Wane thinks that the quality of the NRL - and quality of the State of Origin matches between NSW and Queensland - deliver a more effective preparation for competing at the highest level of the international game than what is on offer in the Europe.

Wane commented that the packed domestic league fixture list allowed little opportunity for him to work with his players during the season, which will only pose more issues around how England can bridge the gap to Australia before heading to the Southern Hemisphere in the next World Cup.

"The Australians play a large number of Test matches in their competition," he added.

"We have ten to fifteen a year. We need really intense games to enhance the domestic league and improve our chances of winning these sorts of games.

"It was impossible to even practice with the players. There was no chance to got on the field in the campaign and despite having the full backing of everyone in the domestic competition.

"I understand in the boots of the head coaches that must to win games. The competition is that congested. It's a pity but it's not the cause we lost today."