🔗 Share this article

Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

The replacement was brought on from the bench to assist the home side close out a memorable triumph facing the Kiwis, but instead failed to convert a crucial penalty and drop-goal while his team lost by two points.

Following those costly misses, the player was required to strive to earn another opportunity at delivering glory for the national side.

His playing time was limited to 25 minutes during this year's Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on Lions tour commitments, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

The veteran player not only repaid Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to help the home team to their initial victory over New Zealand in their own stadium for the first time since 2012.

The crucial point occurred as Ford successfully executed two drop-goals in succession immediately preceding halftime.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 when the half ended, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled after halftime to help his side to a convincing 33-19 win.

"Credit must be given to the senior players in our team, especially George," Borthwick told. "That period when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago In my view George substituted and competed very effectively [facing the Kiwis].

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

"He's an exceptional captain, a superb performer plus a better human being. We are honored to feature him on our team."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly during the match, building a twelve-point advantage with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Following Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive three-pointers ensured England entered the locker room with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect during those periods is, when the scoreboard says 12-0, we can stick to our strategy and our convictions the superior method to perform is," Ford stated.

"We worked our way back into the game and we knew should we begin the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in a favorable situation.

"Despite having a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned on our own line with a yellow card, so we had challenges during that phase also.

"I think that's what elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks occurred within close succession as Ford who nailed three crucial kicks in a successful match facing the Argentine team during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals with Sale in a Prem game conducted in difficult conditions at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he has extensively practiced.

"The drop-kicks are consistently planned," Ford added.

"Borthwick represents an incredible coach that he consistently reminding me, and appropriately because three points is valuable throughout the match of the game."

Ford guided his side brilliantly throughout the match the complete contest, executing intelligent kicks - both to compete and locating gaps behind the visitors' backfield.

His characteristic high spiral kick also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who mishandled the ball.

After beginning the English victory against Australia in early November, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement during the Fiji match a week later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty occurred versus the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November creating intrigue to determine if the manager opts to Fin Smith or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford proved two years away from a World Cup that significant amounts of play remaining for him.