🔗 Share this article

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

The replacement was brought on from the bench to support England secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, however failed to convert a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity to achieve success to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the warm-weather tour against Argentina and the USA as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player did more than justify the coach's trust by selecting him versus New Zealand, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to assist the home team to a first win over New Zealand at home ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point in the game Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This enabled the English bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves again delivered during the final period to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "That period as he scored those drop-kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I thought George came on and played very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a drop-goal under pressure, 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'

The Kiwis began rapidly in the stadium, building a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we can stick to our strategy and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into the game and we recognized should we begin the second half well, with substitutes entering, we were in a good position.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles in that instance too.

"I believe this illustrates elite competition requires - which team can handle with those moments superiorly."

Both kicks happened within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a win versus Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford successfully executed two three-pointers with Sale in a Prem game occurring during difficult conditions against Bath - it is a skill he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks form part of our strategy," Ford stated further.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he is always reminding me, and correctly so as three points are crucial throughout the match of play."

Ford guided his team superbly around the field the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic tactical bomb additionally troubled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started England's win over Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the fly-half position to Fin Smith against Fiji the following week.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the three-time world champions, so Ford returned to his spot.

England, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to determine if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established two years away before the World Cup that there is plenty of career ahead within him.