Phenomenal George Ford Pivotal to Beating New Zealand

During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

He was called upon as a substitute to assist the home side secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, but instead missed a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team lost by a narrow margin.

After those expensive errors, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for England.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple strong showings, particularly on the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old did more than justify the manager's confidence through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 by halftime, prior to the coach's talented substitutes once more performed after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 victory.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year In my view George substituted and competed exceptionally well [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post while he attempted a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

New Zealand began rapidly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's back-to-back drop-kicks meant the hosts bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times comes when the board shows a twelve-point deficit, we must maintain to our guns and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew were we to commence the second half well, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, so we had challenges there as well.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks came within close succession as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale in a league contest played in challenging weather against Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately because three points is valuable during any phase of play."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His characteristic high spiral kick additionally troubled the opposing fullback, who failed to regather.

Following his start in England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to his replacement for the Fiji victory the following week.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn came against the multiple World Cup winners, and Ford reclaimed his starting role.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead in him.