Outstanding George Ford Crucial to Beating New Zealand

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

The replacement was brought on from the bench to assist the home side close out a famous win versus the All Blacks, but instead missed a crucial penalty along with a drop-kick while his team fell short by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, Ford needed to put in effort to earn another opportunity to achieve success for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of excellent displays, especially during the summer matches of Argentina and the United States as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions team responsibilities, returned him solidly in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated the manager's confidence through his selection against the All Blacks, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to help the hosts to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The pivotal moment in the game Ford converted back-to-back drop-goals just before the break.

This enabled the English recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, prior to the coach's talented substitutes again delivered during the final period to assist the team to a convincing 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the experienced players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

"Last year I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [versus the All Blacks].

"A kick hit the post while he attempted a pressured drop-kick, but he played really well.

"He is a phenomenal leader, an outstanding athlete and an even better person. We are fortunate to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, surging to a substantial early margin with tries by Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals meant the hosts bounced into the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The tough part at those times occurs as the display indicates 12-0, we can stick to our strategy and what we believe the optimal approach to perform is," Ford said.

"We fought our way back into the game and we understood should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Even with 15 minutes left, we ended up near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties there as well.

"I think that's what international rugby involves - who manages best during those situations the best."

Both kicks came within a two-minute span as the fly-half who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match against Argentina at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, demonstrated his full century of caps experience.

Ford hit two drop-kicks representing Sale during a Premiership match occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

"These attempts are consistently planned," Ford continued.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager that he consistently reminding me, and rightly so because three points are crucial throughout the match of competition."

Ford marshalled England excellently around the field all game, making smart decisions - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space behind the visitors' backfield.

His signature high spiral kick further confused the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

After beginning England's win versus the Wallabies on 1 November, Ford handed over the starting role to the younger Smith for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge on paper this autumn occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

England, now on a run of 10 straight wins, face Argentina on 23 November and it will be interesting to discover if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or continues with Ford.

Whatever choice occurs, Ford established two years away prior to global competition that ample opportunity of career ahead in him.