Exceptional Ford Crucial to Defeating New Zealand

In November 2024, English number 10 Ford cut a dejected figure during the match.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the home side secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance at delivering glory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of strong showings, especially during the summer matches against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for Lions team responsibilities, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help England to a first win versus the Kiwis in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled in the second half to support England to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"Recognition should be offered to the veteran members on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly during the match, racing into a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect during those periods comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we would be in a good position.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal with those moments most effectively."

Each effort occurred within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances versus Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly around the field the entire match, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic tactical bomb also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to the younger Smith against Fiji seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, with Ford regaining his starting role.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, meet Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left in him.