🔗 Share this article

Back in November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon from the bench to help the hosts secure an historic victory against New Zealand, yet missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten in a close contest.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to get another shot at delivering glory for England.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the hosts to a first win against the All Blacks at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "During that phase when he converted those crucial kicks, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George came on and played really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are privileged to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-goals resulted in the home side entered the locker room with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to compete is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood should we begin the second half well, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned on our own line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

Each effort happened within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances versus Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and correctly so as three points is valuable at any stage of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark tactical bomb additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia during the autumn series, Ford passed on the fly-half position to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

But the biggest test theoretically this season was presented by the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

The English team, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining before the World Cup that significant amounts of rugby left for him.