🔗 Share this article

Back in November 2024, England fly-half George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to support the hosts complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead was unable to score a late penalty and drop-goal as his side fell short in a close contest.

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

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of impressive performances, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection versus New Zealand, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support England to a first win against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves once more performed after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "During that phase as he scored those drop-kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford came on and played very effectively [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player and an even finer individual. We are honored to include him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis started quickly in the stadium, racing into a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals ensured England entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect during those periods occurs as the display indicates a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our strategy and our philosophy the superior method to compete is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew if we started the second half well, as reserves joined, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up near our try line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who manages best with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who executed three drop-goals in a win versus Argentina in the last global tournament, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-kicks for Sale during a Premiership match conducted in challenging weather versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he is always reminding me, and correctly so because three points are crucial throughout the match of competition."

Ford guided his side brilliantly around the field the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory against Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the starting role to Fin Smith during the Fiji match the following week.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his position.

The English team, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, face Argentina this month and curiosity remains to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away before the World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining in him.