Exceptional George Ford Crucial to Overcoming All Blacks

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

Ford had been summoned from the bench to support the hosts secure a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, yet missed a crucial penalty and drop-goal as England were beaten by two points.

Following those costly misses, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of excellent displays, notably in the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid the manager's confidence by selecting him against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker achieved a best-player showing to help England to a breakthrough triumph against the All Blacks at home since 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

It helped England recover from 12-0 down to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled during the final period to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "In that moment as he scored those drop-kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"One year earlier In my view George entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

"One kick struck the post and he had a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The All Blacks began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, surging to a 12-point lead through scores from two key players.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, Ford's consecutive three-pointers meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our strategy and what we believe the best way to play the game is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into contention and we understood if we started the final period strongly, with substitutes entering, we were in a good position.

"Even with fifteen minutes to go, we found ourselves near our try line following a card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who can deal in those circumstances superiorly."

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks in a successful match versus Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, showed all his 104-cap experience.

Ford hit two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in challenging weather against Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Steve is such an incredible coach since he continually advising me, and appropriately since three points is valuable throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed his side brilliantly across the pitch the complete contest, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

Following his start in the national team's triumph against Australia in early November, Ford passed on the starting role to his replacement against Fiji a week later.

But the biggest test in terms of difficulty occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, now on a run of an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina in late November creating intrigue to discover whether the coach returns for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated with two years remaining from a World Cup that ample opportunity of rugby left in him.