Phenomenal Ford Crucial to Beating New Zealand

Back in November 2024, English number 10 George Ford cut a dejected figure on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the hosts secure a famous win against New Zealand, but instead missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for England.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, notably in the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

This assisted England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled during the final period to help his side to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to include him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, building a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our plan and what we believe the optimal approach to compete is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a good position.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

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

Each effort occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager since he continually reminding me, and rightly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the entire match, making smart decisions - both to compete and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature high spiral kick additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Having started England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement against Fiji seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his position.

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

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.