England's Historic Win: Itoje and Ford Shine in Thrilling 33-19 Victory Over New Zealand
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England captain Maro Itoje hailed Saturday's 33-19 win over New Zealand at Twickenham as 'special' after a rare Red Rose triumph over the All Blacks. England trailed 12-0 early on, but a stunning turnaround saw them score 25 unanswered points, thanks in part to two drop-goals and a penalty from veteran fly-half George Ford. This victory marked England's ninth win in 47 Tests against New Zealand, spanning 120 years, and their first since a dramatic 2019 World Cup semi-final success. Ford, who struggled in last year's corresponding fixture, put on a show of skill and leadership, scoring 13 points and expertly directing England's attack. England coach Steve Borthwick praised Ford's performance, saying: 'George is a brilliant player, an outstanding leader, and an even better person.' Borthwick also noted that England left 'a load of points out there,' indicating a huge amount of growth within the team, particularly against a top-ranked opponent like New Zealand. New Zealand's bid for a tour grand slam of wins against the 'Home Nations' was foiled, and All Blacks coach Scott Robertson acknowledged that his team 'finished a bit more than us.' England's next test will be against Argentina next weekend, while New Zealand will face Wales after their narrow defeat.
