San Francisco Frontiers - Ford steers England to rare win over New Zealand

New Zealand led early on through tries from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor but reached half-time just a point ahead at 12-11 after England centre Ollie Lawrence's try was followed by two drop-goals from recalled fly-half Ford.

Their comeback continued early in the second half as tries from Sam Underhill and Fraser Dingwall, both converted by Ford, propelled England into a 25-12 lead.

The prolific Will Jordan's 44th try in 53 Tests brought New Zealand back into the game in the 66th minute.

But Ford, in his 104th Test for England, put the result beyond doubt with a 76th-minute penalty.

And there was still time for England wing Tom Roebuck to score a try in the corner as the All Blacks were denied a grand slam after their Autumn Nations Series wins over Ireland and Scotland earlier this month.

This was just England's ninth win in 47 Tests against New Zealand dating back to 1905 and their first since a memorable 2019 World Cup semi-final triumph in Japan.

It was also the first time England had defeated New Zealand at Twickenham in 13 years and extended their winning streak against all opponents to 10 matches.

England dominated possession and territory in the opening 10 minutes at a rainswept Twickenham, although they did lose full-back Freddie Steward to a head injury assessment that saw him permanently replaced by Marcus Smith.

But England failed to turn their pressure into points before New Zealand scored with their opening two visits to the 22.

New Zealand spoilt England's line-out throw and from the ensuing All Blacks scrum, the ball was worked across field, with left wing Fainga'anuku powering over in the 14th minute.

Beauden Barrett's conversion went wide but four minutes later, New Zealand had their second try when, following Jordan's break, hooker Taylor beat England scrum-half Alex Mitchell and dived over, with Barrett converting.

- Borthwick turns to 'bomb squad' -

England, however, hit back in the 25th minute when, from a blindside break off a scrum, outside centre Lawrence bounced off Leroy Carter and stepped Barrett for a well-taken try.

Ford could not convert but England were back in the game and two minutes before half-time, he landed a drop-goal from some 25 metres out.

And with the forwards retaining possession following a break by Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, there was still time for Ford, from further out, to land another drop-goal as England turned around just a point behind.

And England went ahead for the first time in the 43rd minute when openside flanker Underhill forced his way over from a close-range ruck.

Ford converted and England now led 18-12, and it looked as if he had extended their lead still further when scything through for a 50th-minute try, but his score was disallowed on review for offside at a line-out.

Ford's superb raking cross-kick then set up an England line-out and from the set-piece, quick hands from Lawrence sent in fellow centre Dingwall for a 55th-minute try between the posts.

Ford, the player of the match, converted and England were now 23-12 ahead to the delight of a crowd of nearly 82,000.

That was the cue for England coach Steve Borthwick to send on a raft of forward replacements in a bid to see out the game, with the 'bomb squad' having proved their worth in his side's preceding wins over Fiji and Australia this month.

England, however, lost Ben Earl to a yellow card for a maul offence and the All Blacks made their man advantage count soon afterwards when full-back Jordan skated in for New Zealand's first points since the 18th minute.

Damian McKenzie, on as a replacement for Barrett, converted and England's lead had been cut to six points at 25-19.

But Ford's 36-metre penalty gave England breathing space and, after the ball went loose, Roebuck got on the end of replacement Henry Pollock's kick ahead for an opportunist try.

T.Martin--SFF