Outstanding Ford Pivotal to Beating All Blacks

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford looked disheartened on the Allianz Stadium turf.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist the hosts secure a famous win facing the Kiwis, however failed to convert a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt while his team were beaten by two points.

After those expensive errors, Ford had to work hard to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for England.

He saw just 25 minutes of action throughout the Six Nations tournament but a string of impressive performances, especially during the summer matches versus Argentine and American teams while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith in starting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker delivered a player-of-the-match performance to support the home team to their initial victory against the All Blacks in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This assisted England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench again delivered in the second half to help his side to a decisive 33-19 triumph.

"Credit must be given to the senior players in our team, particularly Ford," the manager commented. "During that phase when he converted those crucial kicks, he controlled the match remarkably well.

"Twelve months ago I thought George substituted and competed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, a brilliant player and an even better person. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

The Kiwis began rapidly during the match, surging to a 12-point lead via touchdowns by two key players.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-kicks resulted in the home side entered the locker room with renewed energy.

"The difficult aspect during those periods comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our plan and what we believe the best way to perform is," Ford said.

"We got ourselves back into it and we recognized were we to commence the second half well, with the bench coming on, we were in an advantageous spot.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what Test rugby is - which team can handle with those moments superiorly."

The two attempts happened within two minutes of each other while the number 10 who successfully converted three drop-kicks during a victory facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions versus Bath - this represents an ability he is well-practised in.

"It [the drop-goals] is always in the plan," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he is always in my ear about it, and correctly so because three points is valuable throughout the match of play."

Ford marshalled England excellently across the pitch all game, kicking smartly - both to compete and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled the opposing fullback, who couldn't collect.

Having started the English victory over Australia during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the fly-half position to his replacement against Fiji seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty came against the experienced New Zealand team, with Ford regaining his spot.

The national side, presently maintaining ten consecutive victories, play against Argentina this month and it will be interesting to learn if Borthwick goes back for the younger Smith or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of rugby left in him.