Two hits, at opposite ends of the court, at opposite ends of the match, are added up. England's superb 33-19 win over New Zealand.
The first one rang out four minutes later.
As England attacked in midfield, George Ford swung his leg back and launched a spinning, swinging spiral bomb deep into the New Zealand 22m, the effort stretching the 32-year-old's Pilates-weakened hamstrings almost vertically.
Advertising
The second blow came three minutes before the end of time.
The All Black's pass found the ground and Henry Pollock, a whirlwind of peroxide energy, touched the ball first with his foot and flew into space.
On both occasions the kicks caused havoc in the New Zealand defence. And in both cases, the Allianz Stadium was shaking with anticipation as they entered.
It wasn't always like this. The relationship between Steve Borthwick's England and its public has not always been smooth sailing.
England's brutal tactics when the manager took charge in December 2022 were shaped by where he came from and where he was going.
Advertising
Borthwick won the Premier League with Leicester with a powerful, low-percentage, risk-averse style. In the run-up to the Rugby World Cup, he decided that this approach would be the best use of the limited time and players he had.
Nine months later, when England reached the World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Parisian rain, it was hard to argue with that.
However, two years later, after several false dawns, fears that Borthwick would not – or would not – be able to expand his style into something capable of taking on the game's biggest beasts appear to have subsided.
England achieved a lot in their win over New Zealand. They kicked the ball 35 times to the All Blacks' 29.
Advertising
But it always felt like a weapon, not a reflex.
Changes in the law last year have made the battle for the skies fiercer than ever, with bomb-hunting experts in the UK in Tom Roebuck, Freddie Steward and Immanuel Fahey-Waboso.
The crowd saw the ball go up and enjoyed the upcoming dogfight. They learned to stop worrying and love the bomb.
It's easier because there's so much more to England's game now.
George Ford, stubbornly staring the defenders in the face, was excellent at choosing his options. His two missed goals, which reduced New Zealand's lead just before half-time, changed the course of the match.
Advertising
Ben Earl, who made a huge 20 carries despite spending 10 minutes in the bin, ran around like an elephant in the All Black shop.
Ollie Lawrence and Fraser Dingwall combined superbly for the latter's try, while Marcus Smith showed game acumen and great courage to replace injured fullback Steward in the backfield.
Winger Joe Hayes, ably assisted by Fin Baxter, was excellent in the scrum and very sharp in defence.
The depth that has been cultivated in Argentina over the summer has created a very strong team and high competition.
Borthwick knew when to stick to his team.
Advertising
His faith in Dingwall, whose strengths are more nuanced than some of his midfield rivals, has paid off. His call to bring Ford, the Six Nations' third-choice midfielder, back to the front also paid off.
The effect of his vaunted bench was less noticeable in the second half.
When he pulled the pin out of Pom Squad, there wasn't the immediate turnaround we were expecting.
But part of that was because the starters performed so well.
Ultimately, England had too many attacking aspects, too many options, to be contained by New Zealand.
As Pollock struck the final kick and Roebuck lifted the ball into play, the Twickenham scoreboard read an almost surreal 33-19.
Advertising
England's famous victory over the same opponents in 2012 was just three matches away, but it exceeded the wildest expectations of England fans.
Of course, three years later, that 2012 team crashed out of their home Rugby World Cup, failing to qualify from the pool.
As the rafters swayed, pints spilled and the bowl of the Allianz Stadium filled with joyful giddiness, it seemed impossible that this team would follow the same trajectory.
Like George Ford's bomb, they are undoubtedly still growing.
Borthwick, as always, subsequently kept his emotions and expectations in check.
“This is a team that is developing, a team that is growing,” he said.
Advertising
“This team needs experience together and that's what they do every time: go away every week and train very hard, focusing on what they can improve on and it shows on the pitch.”
“The team has a lot of faith – in our preparation, the way we try to play and the ability we have within the team.
“It’s about trying to achieve special moments, special memories. Today is one of them.”
If they manage to beat a dangerous, if tired, Argentine team next weekend, it will be 11 wins in a row for England and only one defeat in 2025.
Advertising
Perhaps most telling, however, were the numbers on Twickenham's decibel meter, showing the love for a team that didn't always feel it.
