Outstanding Ford Crucial to Defeating All Blacks

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to help the hosts complete an historic victory versus the All Blacks, but instead failed to convert a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt as England were beaten by a narrow margin.

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

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes throughout the Six Nations tournament yet multiple impressive performances, especially during the summer tour of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, put him firmly back among starting candidates.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand on home soil for the first time since 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England bounce back from being down 12-0 to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, notably George," the coach stated. "In that moment when he converted those drop-goals, he controlled the match absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a difficult drop-goal, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are privileged to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, building a substantial early margin with tries by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's strong try, Ford's consecutive drop-kicks ensured England bounced into the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times comes when the board shows 12-0, we must maintain to our strategy and what we believe the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into it and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, as reserves joined, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Despite having fifteen minutes to go, we ended up near our try line following a card, meaning we faced difficulties in that instance too.

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

The two attempts occurred within close succession while the number 10 who nailed three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals for Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford stated further.

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately since three points are crucial throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and locating gaps against the defensive line.

His trademark 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

Having started the English victory against Australia on 1 November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn came against the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his spot.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, play against Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to determine whether the coach returns to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left for him.