Outstanding Ford Crucial to Beating New Zealand

During November 2024, England fly-half George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to assist England complete a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to secure another chance to bring victory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations but a string of impressive performances, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

At 32 years old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to help the hosts to a first win over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession just before the break.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to trail 12-11 by halftime, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to help his side to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, especially George," the manager commented. "That period where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played really well [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to feature him on our team."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive drop-goals meant the hosts entered the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The tough part during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we are able to adhere to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to perform is," Ford stated.

"We fought our way back into it and we recognized if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents international rugby involves - who can deal during those situations most effectively."

The two attempts came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale in a league contest occurring during difficult conditions versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so as three points are crucial during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch all game, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His signature tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the English victory over Australia in early November, Ford handed over the number 10 jersey to Fin Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

Yet the most significant examination on paper this autumn was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his position.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to determine whether the coach returns with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of career ahead for him.