🔗 Share this article

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to help the hosts secure an historic victory against New Zealand, however missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as his side were beaten by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory to the English team.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, particularly on the warm-weather tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to a first win against the All Blacks at home for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford nailed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment where he hit those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"One year earlier In my view George substituted and competed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, yet he performed excellently.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to have him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers resulted in the home side bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the best way to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew if we started the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a good position.

"Although facing fifteen minutes to go, we ended up defending our goal line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks happened within close succession as Ford who nailed three drop-kicks in a win versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers representing Sale in a league contest occurring during difficult conditions versus Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an outstanding manager since he continually reminding me, and appropriately because three points are crucial at any stage of play."

Ford directed his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Having started England's win over Australia in early November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith against Fiji the following week.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

The English team, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left within him.