England’s brave new era of rugby on show after stars step up in epic All Blacks win

ENGLAND 33-19 NEW ZEALAND: England secured a memorable victory over the All Blacks as fans witnessed the best of the old guard and the promise of the next generation

With an hour on the clock and a 13-point lead on the scoreboard, England won a penalty from a New Zealand scrum. In the context of an epic win, no big deal. Only it was a big deal to Henry Pollock and it was a big deal to Maro Itoje.

The young buck jumped into the arms of Itoje, a captain who is establishing himself as one of the great sporting leaders. Two faces of this brave, new era of English rugby. Cocky, irresistible, Pollock and composed, magnificent Maro.

It was the briefest, most unimportant of snapshots but it symbolised a landmark England victory. A victory for the starters, led by the imperious Itoje. A victory for the finishers, led by the player you cannot ignore.

Pollock made faces while the All Blacks performed the haka, he chest-bumped everyone in sight and he did a good impression of a decent footballer to set up the Tom Roebuck try that sealed the deal. He was only on the field for 25 minutes. At the end of the match, he gave his shorts – yes, his shorts – to someone in the crowd.

People will hate him, people will love him, no-one will fail to notice him. And in so many ways, he is the antithesis of the player who was this memorable contest’s coolest dude. Step forward George Ford. Over a century of international appearances, the 32-year-old is more accomplished than ever.

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An inspired England ran in four tries but the two drop goals from Ford just before half-time – which, on top of Ollie Lawrence’s try, reduced a 12-point deficit to one – were as important as any scores. And Ford’s calm excellence was key to a win that had looked unlikely when Leicester Fainga’anuku and Codie Taylor gave the Kiwis that early, chunky lead.

And don’t forget, this was the Ford who missed a late penalty AND a last-gasp drop goal attempt that would have given England a win over the All Blacks at Twickenham just over 12 months ago.

Ford declared: “I didn’t think about last year. I will always believe in myself. I loved it. I do believe I am getting better. I feel really good physically and when you are like that, you can attack every day. And I believe in this squad.”

Ford was calm, Ford was measured, giving England a sense of momentum going into the second half, momentum that was increased when Sam Underhill try put them in the lead for the first time.

After that try, England had reached a moment that they have experienced so many times in recent meetings with the All Blacks. The game was theirs for the taking. And the big difference this time was that they took it.

Fraser Dingwall extended England’s advantage to those 13 points and although Will Jordan’s try for New Zealand brought back memories of so many missed opportunities, Ford, unlike last year, nervelessly converted a late penalty that all but guaranteed the win.

Indeed, all that was left was for Pollock’s clever footwork to give Roebuck the chance to end matters in style and give the scoreline a fair reflection of England’s superiority.

“I believe in this team massively,” said Itoje. “I believe we are a great team and a great squad. Today, we had so many fantastic players and the whole bench was amazing.”

And after only a second home win against the All Blacks in 23 years, head coach Steve Borthwick simply said: “The people I am most delighted for are the supporters. They must have enjoyed this.”

They certainly did.