Two moments, at opposite ends of the pitch and the match, perfectly summed up England’s 33-19 triumph over New Zealand on Saturday: the early George Ford bomb and the late Henry Pollock grubber that sealed the victory. Both kicks caused chaos in the All Blacks’ defence, showcasing England’s evolution under head coach Steve Borthwick.

The first came just four minutes in when George Ford, England’s seasoned fly-half, launched a towering spiral kick deep into New Zealand territory, stretching his pilates-conditioned hamstrings to the limit. The second occurred in the closing minutes when Pollock’s quick thinking capitalized on a loose pass, securing the final score and thrilling the Allianz Stadium crowd.

From Skepticism to Celebration: England Fans Learn to Love the Bomb

Borthwick’s England has not always enjoyed smooth relations with fans. Initially criticised for a kick-heavy, low-percentage style inherited from his Leicester Premiership-winning days, Borthwick focused on pragmatic tactics, knowing the limitations of his squad and the looming Rugby World Cup.

Fast-forward to today, and the fear that England’s style would never be able to overcome top-tier opposition has largely dissipated. Against the All Blacks, England executed 35 kicks compared to New Zealand’s 29—but every kick felt like a strategic weapon, not a desperate gamble.

Law changes have made aerial contests more fiercely contested, and England have specialists like Tom Roebuck, Freddie Steward, and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso ready to dominate the skies. Fans have now embraced the spectacle, eagerly anticipating the aerial battles rather than dreading them.

Multi-Dimensional England Performance

While kicking was central, England’s victory was built on a balanced, multi-dimensional performance:

• George Ford orchestrated play, scoring two crucial drop-goals before halftime.
• Ben Earl carried the ball 20 times despite spending ten minutes in the sin-bin.
• Ollie Lawrence and Fraser Dingwall combined beautifully for a try, highlighting England’s creative midfield.
• Marcus Smith showcased playmaking ingenuity after replacing injured full-back Steward.
• Up front, Joe Heyes, supported by Fin Baxter, dominated scrums and defended with precision.

Borthwick’s squad depth, honed during summer tours in Argentina, allows him to select the right combination for each fixture. His trust in Dingwall’s subtle midfield strengths and in reinstating Ford as starting fly-half has been vindicated.

Bench Strength and Tactical Flexibility

Although England’s bench—the so-called “Pom Squad”—did not dramatically shift momentum, this was a testament to the starters’ dominance. With numerous attacking options, England proved too multi-dimensional for New Zealand’s defence. Pollock’s late grubber and Roebuck’s finish epitomized the team’s capacity to exploit opportunities.

The 33-19 scoreline brought raucous celebration, echoing England’s famous 2012 win over New Zealand but offering far greater hope for future consistency. Unlike 2012, when the team faltered in the home Rugby World Cup pool stage, this squad appears on an upward trajectory.

Borthwick Reflects on Team Growth

Post-match, Borthwick praised his team’s development and composure:

“It’s a team that’s developing, a team that’s growing. They need experience together, and that’s exactly what they’re doing each week—training hard, focusing on improvement, and showing it on the pitch.”

He emphasized the squad’s belief in preparation, style of play, and collective ability, calling the win a “special moment” and part of building lasting memories for the team and supporters.

If England can maintain their form against a challenging but fatigued Argentina side next weekend, they will record 11 consecutive victories in 2025, highlighting both growth and consistency. The Twickenham decibel meter showed fans’ renewed love for a team once viewed with skepticism—proof that Borthwick’s vision is resonating both on and off the pitch.