Exceptional Ford Crucial to Beating New Zealand

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon as a substitute to help England secure a memorable triumph against New Zealand, yet missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to their initial victory against the All Blacks on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the coach stated. "That period when he converted those drop-kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he had a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

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

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis commenced strongly during the match, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves on our own line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks occurred within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who executed three drop-kicks in a successful match versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his international experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks representing Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and rightly so as three points prove important at any stage of the game."

Ford directed his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both in contestable situations and in finding space against the defensive line.

His signature high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn if the manager opts for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that there is plenty of rugby left in him.