🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened at Allianz Stadium.

The replacement was brought on as a substitute to assist the hosts secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, however failed to convert a crucial penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as his side fell short by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to support the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis in their own stadium since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players within our side, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals resulted in the home side entered the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we can stick to our plan and our convictions the best way to perform is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into contention and we knew should we begin the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having 15 minutes left, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - who manages best during those situations the best."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other as Ford who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks with Sale during a Premiership match occurring during difficult conditions at Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently in my ear about it, and correctly so as three points prove important during any phase of play."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark high spiral kick additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory against Australia in early November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory the following week.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

England, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, play against Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover whether the coach returns with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining before the World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining within him.