🔗 Share this article

During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

Ford had been summoned from the bench to help the home side close out an historic victory against New Zealand, but instead was unable to score a crucial penalty and drop-goal as his side lost by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple excellent displays, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help England to a first win versus the Kiwis at home since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered in the second half to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"Recognition should be offered to the senior players on our squad, especially George," Borthwick told. "In that moment when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match just incredibly.

"Last year In my view George entered and performed really well [against New Zealand].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to feature him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, building a 12-point lead through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts entered the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we must maintain to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into the game and we recognized were we to commence the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up on our own line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates Test rugby is - which team can handle during those situations superiorly."

Both kicks came within close succession as the fly-half who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - this represents an ability he has mastered thoroughly.

"The drop-kicks is always in the plan," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he is always reminding me, and appropriately as three points prove important throughout the match of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly across the pitch the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory against Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn occurred versus the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina in late November and it will be interesting to discover if the manager opts for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining prior to global competition that ample opportunity of rugby left for him.