Phenomenal Ford Pivotal to Overcoming New Zealand

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

Ford had been summoned off the sidelines to assist the hosts complete a memorable triumph versus the All Blacks, however missed a decisive kick plus a drop-goal attempt while his team lost by a narrow margin.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, 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 throughout the Six Nations tournament however a series of strong showings, particularly on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States while Fin Smith and Marcus Smith were away on British and Irish Lions duty, reestablished him strongly in the starting mix.

At 32 years old not only repaid the coach's trust through his selection facing the Kiwis, plus the club standout delivered a player-of-the-match performance to assist England to a first win versus the Kiwis on home soil ending a drought dating to 2012.

The decisive instant occurred as Ford nailed two drop-goals in succession right before half-time.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to trail 12-11 when the half ended, before Borthwick's star-studded bench once more performed in the second half to support England to a comfortable 33-19 triumph.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, especially George," Borthwick told. "During that phase when he converted those crucial kicks, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"One year earlier I believed Ford entered and performed very effectively [against New Zealand].

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

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete and an even finer individual. We are fortunate to feature him within our roster."

Drop-goals 'always in the plan'

The Kiwis commenced strongly in the stadium, racing into a 12-point lead with tries by Fainga'anuku and Taylor.

Subsequent to Ollie Lawrence's impressive score, the fly-half's successive drop-goals meant the hosts returned to the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The difficult aspect at those times comes when the board shows twelve to zero, we can stick to our strategy and our philosophy the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into the game and we knew if we started the final period strongly, with the bench coming on, we would be in a favorable situation.

"Even with a quarter-hour remaining, we found ourselves defending our goal line after a penalty, thus we encountered obstacles there as well.

"In my opinion that represents elite competition requires - who can deal in those circumstances most effectively."

Both kicks came within close succession as Ford who executed three drop-goals during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full 104-cap experience.

Ford converted two three-pointers with Sale in a league contest occurring during tough circumstances versus Bath - this represents an ability he has extensively practiced.

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

"Steve is such an incredible coach that he is always reminding me, and correctly so as three points prove important throughout the match of play."

Ford marshalled his side brilliantly throughout the match all game, executing intelligent kicks - for both attacking and defensive purposes and in finding space in the opposition's territory.

His characteristic 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who mishandled the ball.

Following his start in the national team's triumph versus the Wallabies during the autumn series, Ford relinquished the starting role to his replacement for the Fiji victory seven days later.

However the greatest challenge in terms of difficulty was presented by the multiple World Cup winners, so Ford returned to his starting role.

The English team, currently enjoying ten consecutive victories, face Argentina in late November and curiosity remains to learn if Borthwick goes back with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Whichever decision is made, Ford demonstrated two years away prior to global competition that there is plenty of play remaining within him.