Phenomenal Ford Central to Beating the Kiwis

During November 2024, England fly-half Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to support the home side secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick as his side lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple strong showings, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, put him firmly back as a starting option.

At 32 years old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star achieved a best-player showing to assist England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, notably George," the manager commented. "In that moment when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are fortunate to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand commenced strongly in the stadium, building a substantial early margin through scores from two key players.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect in those moments comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew should we begin the second half well, as reserves joined, we would be in a good position.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who executed three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game occurring during difficult conditions versus Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately because three points prove important at any stage of competition."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in England's win over Australia in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his position.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.