Head coach Steve Borthwick hailed George Ford after England's match-winner sent New Zealand to a 33-19 rout at Allianz Stadium.
England recorded their first win over the All Blacks at Twickenham since 2012 when Ford was named man of the match 12 months after he failed in the same match.
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The Sale midfielder missed a late penalty and a goal that would have sealed New Zealand's fate in 2024, but on this occasion he finished with 13 points to provide the team his side needed.
“George is a brilliant player, an outstanding leader and an even better person. I have had the privilege of working with him for some time,” Borthwick said.
“I know you like to talk about what happened 12 months ago and how the ball hit the post, but he came on 12 months ago and played very well, as he always does for England. When he puts on the England shirt, he just plays very consistently.”
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Ollie Lawrence, Sam Underhill, Fraser Dingwall and Tom Roebuck were involved in the tries as England claimed their 10th straight Test victory and the remarkable victory of the Borthwick era.
“The most interesting thing I find about this team now is that we left a lot of points. There were a lot of chances that we didn't capitalize on,” Borthwick said.
“We were held up over the goal line and there were a few shots in the 22 where it looked like we were going to score.
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“That tells me there is a huge amount of growth in this team because we played for the number two team in the world.
“We'll love it, it's another great memory the players have made and we'll try to make another one next Sunday against Argentina.”
England meant business from the moment they took on the challenge of the haka, lining up in a V formation, evoking memories of the countries clashing in the 2019 World Cup semi-final.
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Six years ago they similarly turned around to face the Maori war dance and duly thrashed the All Blacks 19-7.
“As a group of leaders, we came up with what you guys saw. I think it was just our response to what they did,” captain Maro Itoje said.
“We were trying to achieve what they were trying to achieve. The haka is a war dance that they do to prepare for the game. I know it has a huge spiritual significance for New Zealand.
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England face Haka (Adam Davey/PA)
“Our reaction was simply to show ourselves, the team and the Allianz Stadium that we are ready for this challenge.”
The defeat means New Zealand's ambitions of hosting a National Union Grand Slam on their northern hemisphere tour are over.
“The Grand Slam was a goal we set ourselves a few weeks ago but England pulled the rug out from under us. It's very disappointing but we'll have to bounce back,” said captain Scott Barrett.
“England were quite effective when they got into our half and scored points. George Ford was quite accurate with his goals and kept the scoreboard going.”
