🔗 Share this article

In November 2024, England fly-half Ford looked disheartened during the match.

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to assist England complete a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a late penalty and drop-goal while his team were beaten by two points.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

He played only 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of excellent displays, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly as a starting option.

The veteran player fully validated the coach's trust in starting him against the All Blacks, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to their initial victory versus the Kiwis in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to support England to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, especially George," the coach stated. "That period when he converted those drop-goals, he directed play remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago In my view George came on and played very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The All Blacks started quickly during the match, surging to a twelve-point advantage via touchdowns by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks resulted in the home side bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part 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 stated.

"We fought our way back into contention and we knew if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we were in a favorable situation.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we were positioned near our try line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

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

Each effort occurred within a two-minute span as Ford who executed three drop-goals in a successful match facing the Argentine team at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals for Sale in a league contest played in tough circumstances at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

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

"The coach is such a phenomenal leader since he continually advising me, and rightly so because three points prove important at any stage of play."

Ford guided England excellently around the field all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb further confused the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory over Australia in early November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory a week later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

The English team, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if the manager opts with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of career ahead within him.