Back when England last celebrated a victory over New Zealand at Twickenham, George Ford was a youthful 20-year-old honing his drop goal skills at Leicester’s Oadby training ground. Fast forward thirteen years, and the seasoned No. 10 has once again etched his name into the history books, orchestrating a triumph over the formidable All Blacks.

Ford’s performance was nothing short of a masterclass, as he deftly turned the tide against a relentless first-half assault with two precise swings of his right boot. His skillful drop goals not only shifted the momentum but also underscored the on-field intelligence that has many earmarking him as a future England coach.

This wasn’t the first time Ford showcased such composure. Against Argentina in the World Cup opener, he tapped into this often-overlooked skill, steering his team through challenging conditions with remarkable poise.

In a head-to-head with the legendary Beauden Barrett—who hasn’t executed a Test drop goal since 2018—Ford outmaneuvered his opponent. He orchestrated a stunning comeback, directing England to score 25 unanswered points through strategic 50-22s and spiraling bombs.

Ford’s leadership propelled England to their tenth consecutive victory. As the game wore on, the notorious Pom Squad emerged from the bench, delivering a series of decisive strikes. Henry Pollock, who played a key role in setting up the final score, was still in primary school when England last defeated the Kiwis in London.

He led England to their 10th consecutive victory, with the infamous Pom Squad arriving from the bench to twist the knife with a series of late blows. Henry Pollock, who set up the final score, was at primary school the last team England got one over the Kiwis in London.

George Ford delivered a masterclass to inspire England to a famous victory over New Zealand

Ford helped to wrestle back momentum from the All Blacks with a pair of drop goals

New Zealand had looked on course for another Twickenham victory with tries from Leicester Fainga’anuku and Codie Taylor, pictured, seeing the All Blacks roar into a 12-0 lead

The peroxide blonde forward sent social media into meltdown when he circled the haka but the foundations of this victory were laid by his fly-half. It was the big southern hemisphere scalp that England desperately needed and one that puts Ford in the driving seat to lead England through to the World Cup.

Confidence was flowing through the carriages of the South West Trains services into Twickenham. ‘I think we’ll win by five,’ one English fan told his father. Punters discussed how they had managed to get their hands on the hottest ticket in town. Competitions at members’ clubs in Soho, corporate outings or splashing £200 through the ballot at the local rugby club. Images of the haka were plastered around the station. New Zealand’s fierce war dance has been transformed into one of sport’s greatest marketing tools, washed out with branding for everyone from insurance to watches.

Much of the pre-match narrative was around the kicking battle. England took to the skies early, with Freddie Steward using his superstrength to chase Ford and Alex Mitchell’s kicks. They opened with intensity, with Sam Underhill and Steward both landing tackles that dislodged All Black possession.

Yet early chances went begging. Ford’s crossfield kick came to nothing, Underhill threw a loose offload and Ardie Savea won a turnover. Three attacks, no tries. History repeating itself? Not this time.

The English lineout faltered throughout the first half and it could have cost them. Scott Barrett beat Maro Itoje in the air, allowing Cam Roigard and Beauden Barrett to show their instinctive passing in England’s 22, with Leicester Fainga’anuku bulldozing over to score. One attack, one try.

When Ford sent his restart straight into touch, the All Blacks were gifted a scrum on halfway. Roigard landed a 50-22 from the base and, within minutes, the All Blacks were two scores up. Will Jordan arced around the defence and Codie Taylor beat Alex Mithcell out wide. There is a wow factor around the All Blacks when they are in full flow, but their game has been become riddled by consistencies. On their current trajectories, England will fancy their chances just as much as the Kiwis by the time we get to the 2027 World Cup.

In the stands, former New Zealand prime minster Jacinda Ardern and tennis star Emma Radacuna watched on with conflicting emotions.

Steward was pulled off for a head injury after 22 minutes and Marcus Smith joined the action. The misfiring attack continued when Alex Coles was held up but, with 25 minutes on the clock, the hosts finally broke through from a scrum. Smith pulled the defenders to the openside and Ford attacked down the blindside, setting up Ollie Lawrence to run through a feeble tackle by Leroy Carter. 

Sam Underhill went over to put England ahead, moments after Codie Taylor was sin binned

Fraser Dingwall ran in England’s third try as part of a run of 25 unanswered points

Will Jordan reduced the All Blacks deficit to set up a tense finale at Twickenham

After Ford eased nerves with a penalty, Tom Roebuck scored England’s fourth try to seal victory

The famous comeback ensured Steve Borthwick’s side earned their tenth successive win

The All Blacks could have moved further ahead if Beauden Barrett and Roigard had not uncharacteristically missed kicks to touch. Instead, it was Ford who took control, landing two opportunist drop goals to set up a one-point game at half-time. Efficiency, composure, accuracy. Ford hit the post when he attempted a potentially match-winning drop goal against the All Blacks last year but this time he made no mistake. The Kiwi defence did not see it coming, allowing him the freedom of Twickenham to line up his three-pointers. 

New Zealand’s discipline was clean through the first half. They went 43 minutes without conceding a penalty, before Taylor sent to the sin-bin for playing the ball out of Marcus Smith’s hands on the ground. His team-mates showed no sympathy. ‘Cynical, it cost us,’ said coach Scott Robertson. ‘It’ll be a bit of a pebble under the beach towel,’ said captain Scott Barrett.

England made hay. Playing the ball off the top of the lineout, they sent a couple of waves of attack towards the New Zealand line. Mitchell was just short, before Underhill scored to take the lead.

Ford took control. With the Pom Squad bouncing down the touchline, ready to make an impact, the No 10 pinned back New Zealand with a 50-22. England played the ball off the top of the set piece, with Lawrence setting up Fraser Dingwall to score a perfectly-executed strike move. New attack coach Lee Blackett repeatedly pumped his fist in delight.

England’s bench forced a spill by Damian McKenzie and celebrated a scrum penalty like a pack of WWE wrestlers. Before kick-off, Maro Itoje addressed the entire team and told them to seize the opportunity they dreamt of as schoolboys.

Beating New Zealand at Twickenham is a rare feat. When Earl was penalised at a maul, allowing Will Jordan to score, it set up a tense finale. But Ford edged his team towards history with a 75th minute penalty, before Pollock fly-hacked the ball into Tom Roebuck’s arms to secure a victory to shake up the world order.