Exceptional Ford Pivotal to Overcoming All Blacks

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

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the home side secure an historic victory against New Zealand, but instead missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team were beaten by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid 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 home team to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players within our side, particularly Ford," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he managed the game remarkably well.

"One year earlier In my view George entered and performed exceptionally well [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, but he played really well.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly in the stadium, building a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers ensured England returned to the locker room with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we are able to adhere to our strategy and what we believe the best way to compete is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, as reserves joined, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances most effectively."

The two attempts happened within close succession as the fly-half who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale in a Prem game conducted in tough circumstances against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader since he continually reminding me, and appropriately because three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to Fin Smith against Fiji seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination in terms of difficulty occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, presently maintaining an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina this month and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away before the World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining within him.