\n<\/p>\n
The depth that has been nurtured in Argentina over the summer has created a squad of many strengths and high competition.<\/p>\n
Borthwick has been adept at picking when to stick and twist with his team. <\/p>\n
His faith in Dingwall, whose strengths are more subtle than some of his midfield rivals, paid off. His call to usher Ford, third choice fly-half in the Six Nations, back to the forefront has also been vindicated.<\/p>\n
The effect of his much-vaunted bench in the second half was less noticeable. <\/p>\n
When he pulled the pin on the ‘Pom Squad’, there was not the immediate momentum swing we expected.<\/p>\n
But that was partly because the starters had performed so well.<\/p>\n
Ultimately England had too many attacking dimensions, too many options to be contained by New Zealand.<\/p>\n
When Pollock poked through that final kick and Roebuck picked up and went in, it brought up an almost surreal ’33-19′ on the Twickenham scoreboard.<\/p>\n
Only three short of England’s famous 2012 win over the same opposition, but in excess of all but England fans’ wildest expectations.<\/p>\n
Three years later of course, that 2012 team flamed out of their home Rugby World Cup, failing to get out of the pool stage.<\/p>\n
As the rafters rocked, the pints spilled and a joyful giddiness filled the Allianz Stadium bowl, it felt impossible that this team would follow the same trajectory.<\/p>\n
Like a George Ford bomb, they are surely still rising.<\/p>\n
Borthwick, as ever, was keeping a lid on emotions and expectations afterwards.<\/p>\n
“It’s a team that’s developing, a team that’s growing,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a team that needs experience together and that’s exactly what they’re doing each time – go away each week and train really hard and being focused on what to improve, and that’s showing on the pitch.<\/p>\n
“The team has a lot of belief – in our preparation, in the way we are trying to play and in the ability we have within the team.<\/p>\n
“This is about trying to achieve special moments, special memories. Today is one of them.”<\/p>\n
If they can subdue a dangerous, if tired, Argentina side next weekend, that would be 11 successive wins for England and only one defeat in 2025.<\/p>\n
The numbers that were perhaps most telling though were on the Twickenham decibel meter, showing the love for a team that has not always felt it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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