🔗 Share this article

Back in November 2024, English number 10 George Ford cut a dejected figure at Allianz Stadium.

He was called upon as a substitute to assist England close out a famous win against New Zealand, but instead was unable to score a decisive kick along with a drop-kick while his team lost in a close contest.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He saw just 25 minutes of action in the recent Six Nations yet multiple excellent displays, particularly on the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him against the All Blacks, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the hosts to a first win over New Zealand on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment came when Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed during the final period to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 victory.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," the coach stated. "In that moment as he scored those crucial kicks, he directed play absolutely brilliantly.

"Twelve months ago I believed Ford substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a pressured drop-kick, yet he performed excellently.

"He is a phenomenal leader, a brilliant player plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

New Zealand commenced strongly at Allianz Stadium, building a substantial early margin via touchdowns by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England returned to the changing rooms with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into contention and we knew were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up defending our goal line after a penalty, so we had challenges there as well.

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

Both kicks occurred within a two-minute span as the fly-half who nailed three drop-goals in a successful match against Argentina in the last global tournament, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford successfully executed two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game conducted in challenging weather versus Bath - it is a skill he is well-practised in.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an incredible coach since he continually in my ear about it, and rightly so since three points prove important throughout the match of competition."

Ford directed his team superbly across the pitch the entire match, making smart decisions - both in contestable situations and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His trademark tactical bomb further confused the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies in early November, Ford passed on the number 10 jersey to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season was presented by the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his position.

The national side, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November and curiosity remains to discover if the manager opts to Fin Smith or persists with Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left within him.