🔗 Share this article

During November 2024, English number 10 Ford appeared disappointed at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to assist the home side complete a memorable triumph against New Zealand, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England lost by two points.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of strong showings, notably in the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to support the home team to a first win against the All Blacks in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players within our side, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

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

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's a tremendous guide, a superb performer and an even better person. We are honored to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, building a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's strong try, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England returned to the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The tough part at those times is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into the game and we understood if we started the second half well, with substitutes entering, we would be in an advantageous spot.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who nailed three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford added.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he consistently advising me, and correctly so since three points is valuable at any stage of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His trademark tactical bomb additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win against Australia in early November, Ford handed over the fly-half position to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

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

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against 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 before the World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining for him.