England write history, George Ford revels in redemption, Henry Pollock 'does a Farrell' in Haka for the ages - Eng-NZ storylines

This England, Steve Borthwick's England, wrote their names into the record books at Allianz Stadium, with a performance as good as any they have ever turned in at their home of rugby. George Ford, 12 months on from heartache against New Zealand on the same turf, produced a player-of-the-match display to erase the scars of 2024 and lead his side to only a ninth win over The All Blacks.

England write names into history

It is worth remembering just how rare England's achievement in beating The All Blacks is.

Since their first meeting at Crystal Palace in 1905, there have been 46 matches between the two sides, with England winning just eight of them (17%).

Quilter Nations Series

England dealt triple injury blow for Argentina

an hour ago

They have also only triumphed over New Zealand twice since June 2003, in 2012 and 2019.

So Saturday at Allianz Stadium was not just about beating one of the best teams in sport, but also breaking through the weight of history.

That task became even harder as they went 12-0 down to a fluid New Zealand early on, but this team - through the leadership of Maro Itoje and George Ford, amongst others - thought hard, and then fought hard to stage their rousing recovery.

We do not know how the storied England-New Zealand rivalry will evolve from here, but the cast of 2025 have forever written their names into history.

'All over for the All Blacks' - Pollock assists Roebuck try as England wrap up the win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ford's redemption

George Ford might have missed the vital drop goal in last year's thriller between England and New Zealand, but on Saturday he was a man who looked determined to right that wrong, slotting two consummate drops late in the first half to give his side crucial momentum as they fought back from being 12-0 down, and driving his team purposefully around the pitch for 80 minutes to deservedly pick up the player-of-the-match award.

For followers of the Gallagher PREM, Ford's kicking heroics will be nothing new, with the fly-half just last month nailing a fully 45-metre drop against Bath that TNT Sports' Sam Warburton labelled "one of the best of his career".

And late on, as New Zealand threatened a comeback as they so often do, Ford landed a penalty from a similar blade of grass to the one he missed from in last year's contest.

This time, the ball sailed through the middle of the posts, and Ford could savour his own comeback arc with a performance opposing captain Scott Barrett labelled "a blinder".

'We have seen him do this all year' - Ford drop goal gets England back in it against All Blacks

Video credit: TNT Sports

Pollock 'does a Farrell' in Haka for the ages

It was a Haka that had everything.

The Allianz Stadium erupted when England transformed into their 'V' and advanced forward, reminiscent of that 2019 World Cup semi-final, and in a further nod to that moment, Henry Pollock took on the Owen Farrell role in smiling his way through it.

The roars then climbed higher when New Zealand started marching forward towards England themselves.

Add in a booming Swing Low rendition, and it set the scene perfectly for what was to come.

England seemed the initial beneficiaries, with Freddie Steward and Sam Underhill unleashing some thunderous hits to destabilise The All Blacks in attack, and though the visitors stormed ahead, Steve Borthwick's side seemed calm and process-driven to edge themselves back into the encounter - and ultimately, land the win they merited.

How much their Haka response factored into the win is an inexact science, but Itoje's words afterwards hinted at it being a way of getting themselves into the right psychological space to deliver, saying it was "just our response to what they did."

Watch: Pollock, Smith stare down All Blacks during TENSE Haka – ‘Echoes of Yokohama’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bomb Squad erase scars of 2024

One of the mantras of Sir Clive Woodward, one of the architects of England's last glorious era, was "I win or I learn".

And my, have this England team done the latter over the last 12 months.

The clash 12 months on from facing New Zealand in the same series, on the same turf, allowed for direct measurement of how far this team had come, and what they had learned.

And in all facets, there have been concrete developments, with the efficiency in their opponents' 22 a huge difference to last year, and the strength of the squad allowing the team to surge away in 'Q4' - as Borthwick likes to call it - rather than fade like they did last year in falling to their succession of narrow defeats.

With this win under their belt, how high is this team's ceiling in the next two years before the 2027 World Cup?

Watch and stream England v New Zealand this Saturday from 2pm, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Quilter Nations Series

South Africa coach hits out at 'unfair' treatment at Quilter Nations Series

2 hours ago

Quilter Nations Series

England v New Zealand drives best-ever rugby audience on TNT Sports and discovery+

Yesterday at 18:35