Outstanding Ford Crucial to Beating All Blacks

In November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

He was called upon as a substitute to support England complete a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, yet missed a late penalty along with a drop-kick as England fell short in a close contest.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to achieve success for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations however a series of excellent displays, especially during the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old did more than justify the coach's trust by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help England to a breakthrough triumph over New Zealand in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed consecutive drop-kicks right before half-time.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes repeatedly excelled after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the veteran members in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play remarkably well.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed 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 fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive three-pointers resulted in the home side returned to the halftime break with the momentum.

"The difficult aspect in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our plan and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we recognized were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - which team can handle during those situations superiorly."

The two attempts came within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three drop-kicks in a win against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in difficult conditions versus Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and correctly so as three points prove important during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly across the pitch the entire match, kicking smartly - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark high spiral kick also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Following his start in England's win versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to his replacement against Fiji a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left for him.