Phenomenal Ford Central to Overcoming All Blacks

In November 2024, England fly-half Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the home side secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to a first win over New Zealand in their own stadium since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are honored to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-goals resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our guns and our philosophy the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into the game and we recognized should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we were positioned near our try line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal with those moments most effectively."

Both kicks happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions at Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"It [the drop-goals] form part of our strategy," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents a phenomenal leader since he continually advising me, and rightly so since three points is valuable at any stage of the game."

Ford marshalled England excellently around the field the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick further confused the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Having started England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to the younger Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

The national side, now on a run of 10 straight wins, meet Argentina this month creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford established with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.