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As stated by captain the England captain, England were delivered a stark "reality check" as the Kangaroos clinched the coveted Ashes trophy.

Australia's 14-4 victory at the stadium in Liverpool on Saturday gave them a 2-0 series lead, making next week's sold-out third Test a meaningless fixture.

The national squad had come into the series harbouring hopes of sending Australia to their first Ashes series defeat since over five decades ago.

Recently, they had achieved a 3-0 series win over Tonga and a series win over the Samoan team. But as the historic rivalry resumed after a long break, England were unable to advance further against the top-ranked team.

"We take full responsibility. There were enough sessions to execute properly on the pitch, and it's clear we've managed that," the captain commented.

"Credit to Australia. They proved excellent in defense. But we've got loads to improve. We're probably not as good as we thought we were going into this series.

"So it's a good wake-up call for us, and [there is] loads to develop."

The Kangaroos 'Turn Up and Are Ruthless'

After being heavily outplayed in an error-strewn display at Wembley, England's were much improved on Saturday back in the traditional strongholds of northern England.

During an energetic opening period, England caused turnovers from the Australians and had dominant territory and ball control, but unfortunately did not convert opportunities on the points tally.

Notably, England have now scored just a single touchdown over 160 minutes, with player the forward barging over late on in the setback in the capital.

Conversely, the Kangaroos have accumulated six in two games - and when mistakes began to appear in the England's play just after the break, it was a case of certainty, they were going to be made to pay.

Initially Cameron Munster crossed, and then so too did the forward. From being level at 4-4, England were down by double digits.

"Satisfied for the majority of the game. I thought for 70 minutes we were solid," said the coach.

"The switch off for a brief period after the break cost us immensely. The first try was easy and should not be scored in a Test match.

"We're devastated. Extremely pleased the squad had a dig but so disappointed with that post-interval, which hurt us significantly."

While the next World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere is just under 12 months away, the team's short-term goal will be on trying to regain respect, preventing a series whitewash and eradicating the issues that frustrated Wane.

"I wanted to see additional intensity thrown at Australia. My aim was us to maintain momentum in the game - we failed to deliver last week," added the veteran coach.

"We did this week. It's just a bit of detail in our attack where we could have applied under greater stress. It's essential to defend both [tries] with greater resolve.

"Credit to Australia - that is no slight to them. They turn up and are clinical when they capitalize, and we failed to be, but in defense we must do better.

"They will be determined to win the series whitewash and we need to be just as focused to make it a competitive series. I've told that to the squad. This must become our main aim. It will be a challenging week but whoever wants it the greatest will secure victory next week."

Competitive Edge Needs to Elevate in Super League

The English side have played a similar number of Test matches to Australia since the last World Cup in recent years.

However Wane believes that the caliber of the Australian league - and level of the State of Origin matches between New South Wales and Queensland - provide a superior preparation for performing at the highest level of the global stage than what is available in the UK.

The England coach added that the packed domestic league fixture list left no time for him to work with his squad during the season, which will only pose additional concerns around how the national team can close the divide to the Kangaroos before heading to Oceania in 2026.

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

"We have ten to fifteen a year. We need demanding games to boost the domestic league and boost our prospects of succeeding in these types of matches.

"It was impossible to even train with the players. There was no chance to trained together in the season and despite having the total cooperation of everyone in the domestic competition.

"I understand in the boots of the head coaches that need to win games. The competition is that congested. It's unfortunate but it's not the cause we got beaten today."