🔗 Share this article

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

The replacement was brought on from the bench to assist the home side close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, however missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to secure another chance to achieve success for England.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches against Argentina and the USA when the Smith players were away on Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout achieved a best-player showing to assist the home team to their initial victory versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players within our side, especially George," the manager commented. "That period as he scored those drop-goals, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Last year I thought George entered and performed really well [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post and he had a pressured drop-kick, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer and an even finer individual. We are honored to include him on our team."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks started quickly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts entered the changing rooms with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our guns and what we believe the superior method to play the game is," Ford said.

"We worked our way back into it and we understood were we to commence the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we found ourselves in a good position.

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

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

The two attempts occurred within close succession as the fly-half who successfully converted three drop-goals in a successful match against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete century of caps experience.

Ford hit two three-pointers with Sale during a Premiership match conducted in tough circumstances at Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford added.

"The coach is such an incredible coach that he consistently advising me, and rightly so because three points is valuable during any phase of play."

Ford guided his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - both to compete and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature high spiral kick further confused the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the three-time world champions, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

The national side, presently maintaining 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved ahead of the next tournament before the World Cup that ample opportunity of play remaining within him.