"The big result also owed a lot to one of the smaller men on the field. Borthwick predicted this week that George Ford would one day assume the England head coach mantle and the fly-half's stock as a playmaker has rarely been high. Two inch-perfect drop-goals in the first-half changed the momentum of the whole contest and, after the interval, his generalship helped to keep his team one step ahead of their pursuers."
"In the car park beforehand even battle-hardened former red rose legends were sniffing the air and pronouncing they just had a feeling about England. It was scarcely diluted by the sight of England forming a deliberate semi-circle in response to the pre-game haka, echoing the V-shaped formation that preceded their famous 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final win in Yokohama. England's Ollie Lawrence scores his side's first try against New Zealand."
England secured a landmark victory over New Zealand in south-west London, their first there in 13 years. The team recovered from a 12-0 deficit to score four tries, including late touchdowns from Fraser Dingwall and Tom Roebuck. George Ford shifted the contest with two precise first-half drop-goals and maintained control after half-time, guiding England ahead. The players and management combined disciplined defence and clinical finishing to earn the result. England replicated a deliberate semi-circle to the haka reminiscent of their 2019 World Cup formation, while New Zealand had opened strongly with early tries.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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