England claimed only their ninth victory over New Zealand after recovering from a 12-point deficit to dismantle the All Blacks 33-19 at Allianz Stadium.
Here, we look at five talking points arising from a famous win.
On a roll
Head coach Steve Borthwick was determined to play down the significance of the result but the conclusion is inescapable – England are back.
Crushing the All Blacks in the standout performance of the Borthwick era has given their 10-Test winning run real substance and will send them into the Six Nations as genuine title contenders.
After a difficult 2024, a feelgood factor has returned to English rugby as they look to close out the year by overcoming Argentina next Sunday.
England develop ruthless streak
What a difference a year makes. Last autumn England were in the grip of a seven-Test losing run against tier one opposition, unable to close out tight games.
Now, with the help of a bench stacked with experienced forwards, they have morphed into a team that finishes with a bang.
In the main event of the campaign, they withstood an All Blacks fightback that cut their lead to 25-19 and then struck with a George Ford penalty and Tom Roebuck try in the final six minutes. Now the defining moments are belonging to England.
Ford takes centre stage
Twelve months after a missed penalty and drop-goal failed to get England over the line in the same fixture, Ford found redemption in a match-winning display.
The 32-year-old ringmaster was imperious with a towering spiral bomb, a 50-22 that directly led to a try and two sweetly-struck drop-goals his more obvious highlights.
Crucially, Ford was at his best in the latter stages when England needed his guidance to close out the game. On this evidence, he is the nation’s number one fly-half ahead of Fin Smith and Marcus Smith.
An end to the midfield dilemma?
On their third start together, Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence combined beautifully to suggest England may have found their centre combination for the 2027 World Cup.
Lawrence provided the firepower with his muscular carries, although there is much more to his game than just brute strength, while Dingwall’s calm authority, distribution and running lines proved the perfect foil.
It was an especially-pleasing afternoon for Dingwall, who showed for the fist time in his seven caps that he can be a force at Test level.
Faded aura
A first win against New Zealand at Twickenham since 2012 and a first anywhere for six years comes with one caveat – this is not a vintage All Blacks side.
Ranked second in the world behind South Africa, they were surprisingly toothless outside of a burst of two tries in three minutes and even their basic skills were off-key.
The famed All Blacks ‘aura’ that put a psychological hold on opponents no longer intimidates in the same way.