🔗 Share this article

During November 2024, English number 10 George Ford appeared disappointed on the Allianz Stadium turf.

Ford had been summoned as a substitute to help the hosts close out a memorable triumph against New Zealand, yet was unable to score a late penalty plus a drop-goal attempt as England fell short by two points.

After those expensive errors, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory for the national side.

He played only 25 minutes in the recent Six Nations but a string of strong showings, especially during the summer tour versus Argentine and American teams as Fin Smith and Marcus Smith had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, returned him solidly as a starting option.

The 32-year-old not only repaid the manager's confidence in starting him facing the Kiwis, and the Sharks star produced a man-of-the-match display to support England to a first win over New Zealand in their own stadium ending a drought dating to 2012.

The crucial point came when Ford successfully executed back-to-back drop-goals right before half-time.

This assisted England recover from 12-0 down to narrow the gap to 12-11 at the break, ahead of the manager's skilled reserves repeatedly excelled in the second half to assist the team to a comfortable 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the senior players on our squad, notably George," Borthwick told. "In that moment where he hit those drop-goals, he directed play just incredibly.

"Twelve months ago I thought George came on and played really well [against New Zealand].

"A attempt hit the upright and he had a drop-goal under pressure, however his play was outstanding.

"He's an exceptional captain, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are fortunate to include him within our roster."

Drop-kicks 'consistently planned'

New Zealand started quickly in the stadium, surging to a substantial early margin through scores from Leicester Fainga'anuku and Codie Taylor.

After Lawrence's strong try, Ford's back-to-back drop-goals meant the hosts returned to the changing rooms with the momentum.

"The challenging thing in those moments is, when the scoreboard says a twelve-point deficit, we can stick to our plan and what we believe the superior method to compete is," Ford explained.

"We fought our way back into the game 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 a quarter-hour remaining, we were positioned defending our goal line with a yellow card, so we had challenges in that instance too.

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

Each effort occurred within close succession while the number 10 who successfully converted three crucial kicks in a successful match versus Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, showed all his century of caps experience.

Ford converted two drop-kicks for Sale in a league contest conducted in difficult conditions versus Bath - it is a skill he has mastered thoroughly.

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

"Borthwick represents an outstanding manager that he consistently in my ear about it, and appropriately since three points is valuable during any phase of the game."

Ford directed England excellently throughout the match the entire match, kicking smartly - both in contestable situations and identifying openings against the defensive line.

His signature 'spiral bomb' further confused Beauden Barrett, who failed to regather.

After beginning the national team's triumph over Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith during the Fiji match a week later.

Yet the most significant examination theoretically this season occurred versus the three-time world champions, with Ford regaining his position.

England, now on a run of ten consecutive victories, meet Argentina on 23 November creating intrigue to learn whether the coach returns with the alternative or maintains Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford demonstrated ahead of the next tournament from a World Cup that significant amounts of career ahead within him.