🔗 Share this article

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

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support England secure a famous win versus the All Blacks, yet missed a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team fell short by a narrow margin.

Following those costly misses, Ford needed to put in effort to get another shot to achieve success for England.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, particularly on the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were absent for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly among starting candidates.

The 32-year-old did more than justify Steve Borthwick's faith through his selection facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil since 2012.

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

This enabled the English overcome a 12-0 deficit to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to assist the team to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the experienced players within our side, especially George," the coach stated. "In that moment where he hit those drop-kicks, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford substituted and competed really well [facing the Kiwis].

"One kick struck the post and he tried a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

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

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a substantial early margin with tries by two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's consecutive three-pointers ensured England bounced into the halftime break with renewed energy.

"The challenging thing at those times occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we can stick to our plan and what we believe the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we found ourselves in a good position.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line following a card, thus we encountered obstacles during that phase also.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - which team can handle during those situations the best."

The two attempts came within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, displayed his complete 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks with Sale in a Prem game played in tough circumstances against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently advising me, and correctly so as three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford directed his team superbly throughout the match all game, kicking smartly - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His signature high spiral kick additionally troubled Beauden Barrett, who couldn't collect.

Having started the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith during the Fiji match seven days later.

But the biggest test on paper this autumn came against the experienced New Zealand team, and Ford reclaimed his spot.

The English team, now on a run of 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to determine if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or persists with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford established ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of play remaining in him.